Dusky munia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dusky munia
from Upper Mentaya, Central Kalimantan
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Estrildidae
Genus:	Lonchura
Species:	L. fuscans
Binomial name
Lonchura fuscans (Cassin, 1852)
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The Dusky Munia (Lonchura fuscans) is a small bird. It belongs to the estrildid finch family. This bird is special because it is found only on the island of Borneo. People sometimes call it the Dusky Mannikin or the Bornean Munia. It's a type of perching bird, part of the Passeriformes group. The Dusky Munia is the only species of its kind in its genus. This means it doesn't have any different types or subspecies.

Where Do Dusky Munias Live?

The Dusky Munia is doing well in terms of its population. It is listed as "Least Concern" by conservation groups. You can mostly find these birds on the island of Borneo. They also live in countries like Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Some have even been introduced to places like Natuna and the Philippines.

Dusky Munia's Favorite Homes

We don't know exactly how many Dusky Munias there are. But their numbers seem to be steady. They are not currently in danger. These birds like to live in warm, wet places. You can find them in low-lying areas. They enjoy shrublands, forests, and grassy fields.

Their homes can be quite different. Sometimes they live in the foothills of Borneo. Other times, they are in open grasslands. They also like farm fields, especially rice paddies. You might spot them near riverbanks or in areas with tall reeds. They also live in places where people have grown crops. They can live from sea level up to 500 meters high. These birds do not move to different areas during the seasons. They stay in their home all year long.

What Does a Dusky Munia Look Like?

The Dusky Munia is a small perching bird. Adult birds are about 10 to 11 centimeters long. That's about the length of your hand. They weigh around 9.5 grams. That's less than a pencil!

Dusky Munia's Colors

Their feathers are a rich, dark brown color. The feathers on their head have pale brown streaks. Their legs are a blue-gray color. They have a gray ring around their eyes. The area around their face is dark. Their beak has a black upper part. The lower part of their beak is blue-gray. Male and female Dusky Munias look the same. You can't tell them apart by their feathers.

How Do Dusky Munias Live?

Dusky Munia Sounds

The Dusky Munia makes different sounds. When it flies, it calls out a low "teck teck." If it's on the ground or in a tree, it might make a sharp "pee pee" sound. It can also make a high-pitched "peep" or a thin "chirrup."

What Do Dusky Munias Eat?

Dusky Munias mainly eat seeds. They love grass seeds and weed seeds. They also eat rice grains from farm fields. Sometimes they eat small insects too. When they look for food, they search through plants. They also look on the ground. They are clever at finding seeds. They pick seeds from overturned dirt clumps. They even find them in buffalo dung. They also get seeds from seed heads and deep in the ground.

Most Munias eat seeds. Grass seeds are a very important part of their diet. Some Munia species also eat snails, figs, ants, and nectar. They might even eat berries and algae. Dusky Munias fly in groups. They talk to each other with soft whistles. These birds are very social. They often mate and sleep near other types of Munia birds.

How Do Dusky Munias Have Babies?

Female Dusky Munias build their nests from bits of grass. Sometimes, they take over old nests built by smaller birds. They especially like nests made by Chestnut Munias. They can build nests in many different places. But they prefer dark, high-up spots. They also like small cracks or holes.

You might find their nests in caves. They also nest in holes in river banks. They use bushes and thick trees. Hollow trees and the roots of fallen trees are also good spots. Once a nest is built, they use it for sleeping. They also use it for breeding and keeping their eggs warm.

After mating, the female lays eggs. She usually lays 4 to 6 eggs at a time. Sometimes, she might lay up to 8 eggs. The eggs stay in the nest for about 13 to 14 days. This is called the incubation period. After the babies hatch, they stay in the nest for about three weeks. Then, they are ready to fly out on their own!