Scaly-breasted Munia

Lonchura punctulata

These very common small birds are found in open grasslands generally, as they seem to prefer small grass seeds as food. They do feed on padi, but do not forage at such precious, to man anyway, food sources. Thus, they are not a threat to destroying padi-fields in contrast to their cousins, the Javan Munia. In fact, Victor Mason suggests they do the rice farmers a huge favour by eating the wild grass seeds that sprout amongst the rice-padi plants. They are very widespread and are found throughout South-east Asia, as well as Timor and south eastern Australia.