Bronze Mannikin

Lonchura cucullata

Other Names

  Bronze Munia, Bronze Mannia, Bronze-winged Mannikin   Capucin nonnette   Kleinelsterchen   Noneta   Mindre skatfink, Liten skatfink   Bronzen manneke, Gewoon Ekstertje, Ekstertje   Nonnetta

World: Africa: Widespread S of 10°N except in the arid SW and the dry regions of Somalia. There are also populations in the Caribbean and Puerto Rico which have probably arisen as a result of escapees (this is a popular cage bird in some parts of the world).

Kenya: Common and widespread up to 2000m in the more humid areas of the country (mainly S of 2°N).

Outside the breeding season these are gregarious birds which are found in small flocks of up to 30 individuals. It is a ground feeder whose diet consists primarily of seeds. It is most numerous in areas around human habitation.

The bird pictured above was photographed at the coast and is of the eastern race scutata which can be distinguished from the nominate race by the lack of a glossy green patch on its sides.