Chestnut-breasted Mannikin
Scientific Name: Lonchura castaneothorax
Size: 10 to 12 cm
What does it look and sound like?
The Chestnut-breasted Mannikin is a beautiful, thick-set finch with a powerful bill. The upperparts are rich chestnut, with a grey crown. The underparts are generally white, with a broad chestnut breast-band, bordered below with black, and conspicuous black face and throat. The call, ‘teet’ or ‘tit’, which may be either bell-like or long and drawn out, is used in a variety of situations. The song, however, is long and high-pitched, often lasting up to 12 seconds.
Where is it found?
Ranges from the Kimberleys, Western Australia, to Sydney, New South Wales.
What are its habitats & habits?
The Chestnut-breasted Mannikin is common in rank grasses and reeds, where it is highly social, often forming vast flocks of several hundred birds.
This species features in my book Australia’s Birdwatching Megaspots
