The tricolored munia, Lonchura malacca, gets its common name from the primary colors of its plumage: white, chestnut-brown, and black. It is also commonly referred to as the black-headed munia, which is the common name of the chestnut munia (Lonchura atricapilla) as well. They can also be referred to as the tricolored mannikin, the tricolored nun, the three-colored manikin, the three-colored munia, and the three-colored nun. This bird originated from Asia and it has some variations present, but there are no recognized subspecies. It is a member of the Estrildidae family and the Lonchura genus. In Asia, it can be seen from northeast Sri Lanka to southern India.It is an attractive bird that makes a charming pet for all levels of finch pet owners. They are also known for their striking plumage. The bird’s neck sides, upper breast, and the region from its nape to its head are all glossy and black in color. Its flanks and chest are either white in color with cinnamon patterns or are white in color with gray bards, or they are entirely white-cinnamon-colored. This bird may gather with many birds of the same species together to form large flocks. Keep reading to discover more facts about the tricolored munia related to its song, plumage, physical description, distribution, breeding, and diet!If you enjoyed reading our amaze-wing tricolored munia facts, you must check out our Ani bird surprising facts and eastern kingbird interesting facts!
Fun Tricolored Munia Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Canary seed, rice, millet, seeding and flowering grasses, chickweed, grass seeds
What do they eat? Herbivores
Average litter size? 4-7 eggs
How much do they weigh? 0.3-0.5 oz (9.8-14.4 g)
How long are they? 4.3-4.7 in (11-12 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? White, chestnut-brown, reddish-gold, reddish-chestnut, black, light gray
Skin Type Feathers
What were their main threats? Habitat Loss
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Wet Grassland Regions, Tropical Lowland Moist Forests, Marshes, Swamp Habitats, Rice Paddies, Sugar Cane Fields
Locations India, The West Indies, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Cuba, Jamaica, Hawaiian Islands, China, Japan, Northern South America, Central America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Lonchura
Class Aves
Family Estrildidae
Tricolored Munia Interesting FactsWhat type of animal is a tricolored munia?The tricolored munia is a small-sized gregarious bird that is a member of the Estrildidae family.What class of animal does a tricolored munia belong to?It belongs to the class Aves. This bird is still classified in the same group as the black-headed munia, the white-headed munia, and the chestnut munia, despite the fact that these three are now classified as three unique species.How many tricolored munias are there in the world?The population of these birds has not been evaluated yet. However, the population trend of this munia species is stable as per the IUCN.Where does a tricolored munia live?This bird’s natural range is in Sri Lanka and India. It is found in India in southeast Rajasthan, Gujrat, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh. It is found in Vietnam, Thailand, and China as well. It has also been introduced into the West Indies, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Cuba, Jamaica, the Hawaiian Islands, Japan, northern South America, and Central America (Panama to southern Mexico).What is a tricolored munia’s habitat?Birds of this species inhabit wet open grassland regions, tropical lowland moist forest regions, marshes, swamps, rice paddies, and sugar cane fields. They do not prefer to live in areas where the temperature drops to below 41 F (5 C). In the wild, they build their nests in coarse grass or reeds, and males of this species have been observed to accumulate material to build the nest. The male and the female both build an oval-shaped nest that has an entrance on its side. They are also known to use a weaver’s nest in south India.Who do tricolored munias live with?These birds dwell in small groups comprising family members, but they may also form flocks. In captivity, they are known to pair up with finches that are related to them.How long does a tricolored munia live?The tricoloured munia (Lonchura malacca) is a small gregarious bird that can live for up to eight years.How do they reproduce?Birds of this species perform elaborate courtship rituals and they breed in spring and summer. The male is known to carry a grass blade to the female, perch next to her, and then drop the grass blade as a signal. He also puffs up his belly feathers and sings while hopping off the perch. After mating, the female lays four to seven eggs and both the male and female take care of the eggs. Upon hatching, the young birds are fed vegetable matter only. These immature birds have a warm brown coloration on top and a buff coloration below. The young birds continue to return to their nest for one to three weeks after fledging in order to roost. Their first molt happens at the age of six months.These immature birds can breed in captivity even before they have experienced their first molt as the molt may happen after breeding. When captive breeding these birds, they must be given a special diet one month before they start breeding. If these munias choose their partners from a small group on their own, the chances of successful breeding increase. Breeding in colonies is possible but it isn’t very successful as the dominant pair of munias will often intervene in the breeding of other pairs. The tricolored munia can be interbred with related finches relatively easily and it may also breed with the black-headed munia as this bird was considered to be one of its subspecies for quite a while.What is their conservation status?This species is classified under the Least Concern category by the IUCN’s Red List.Tricolored Munia Fun FactsWhat do tricolored munias look like?The tricolored munia is a beautiful species. Its neck sides, upper breast, and the region from its nape to its head are glossy and black in color. The upper wing and the region from its back to the mantle are chestnut-brown in color. Its upper-tail coverts and rump are a vibrant chestnut shade. It possesses a short tail that is dull chestnut-colored and possesses fringes that are reddish-gold or reddish-chestnut in color. The fringes on the tail are the broadest in the center and its flanks and lower breast are white-colored. Its under-tail coverts and belly feathers are black-colored. The belly may also have scalloping along the flanks. The iris is dark-brown in color and there is a light-gray colored eye-ring present as well. The bill is also light-gray in color and the legs are gray-colored. Male munias and female munias look similar to each other and juvenile birds of this species have warm brown coloration on top and buff coloration below. The bill of a young bird is quite pale and resembles the bill of a scaly-breasted munia.How cute are they?These birds are very dainty. They are very tiny in size and possess magnificent coloration. This bird has vibrantly colored upperparts and neutral-colored flanks and lower breasts.How do they communicate?Only males of this species are known to sing. Their song starts off with squeaks of short durations and then ends with a long ‘peee’ sound.How big is a tricolored munia?The adult munia ranges between 4.3-4.7 in (11-12 cm) in length. Males and females are similar to each other in size, but females have a small bill and their tail fringes may be pale. Males have wider heads than female birds of this species.How fast can a tricolored munia fly?The speed of this species of munia has not yet been evaluated.How much does a tricolored munia weigh?An adult of this species weighs between 0.3-0.5 oz (9.8-14.4 g).What are their male and female names of the species?A male munia can be referred to as a ‘cock’ and a female is referred to as a ‘hen’.What would you call a baby tricolored munia?A tricolored munia baby is known as a chick.What do they eat?These birds forage on the ground and feed upon canary seed, rice, millet, seeding and flowering grasses, chickweed, and grass seeds. Munias are known to be preyed upon by tree-climbing snakes.Are they dangerous?No, they are not dangerous. They are peaceful and gregarious birds. However, when they form flocks, they can become a pest to rice farmers.Would they make a good pet?Yes, they can be quite charming and adorable pets. As they are quite small, they can be kept in small-sized enclosures. However, they are known to be more active and joyous in a large-sized cage and they may get obese if adequate space for flying is not provided. They must also be fed a strict diet when they are in the non-breeding season. These munias also may need their nails trimmed often. New plants in their cage may require a wire cage around them, as they need to be protected from these birds as they tend to tear the foliage near them. Overall, these birds are quite peaceful. These munias have been hybridized with the chestnut munia (Lonchura atricapilla), the white-headed munia, the society finch, the chestnut-breasted mannikin, melba finches, and zebra finches, thus, care must be taken if these species are housed together.Did you know…The black-headed munia used to be classified as one of the tricolored munia’s subspecies!These birds migrate during the fall.Are tricolored munias endangered?No, these birds are not endangered and they are quite common throughout their native range. They are also quite common in the countries they have been introduced to. However, it is predicted that these birds could suffer habitat loss in the future due to marsh drainage.How did the tricolored munia get its name?This charming munia gets its name from the primary colors of its plumage: white, chestnut-brown, and black.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our black cuckoo surprising facts and whiskered treeswift interesting facts pages.You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable bird coloring pages.
What type of animal is a tricolored munia?
The tricolored munia is a small-sized gregarious bird that is a member of the Estrildidae family.
Fun Tricolored Munia Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Canary seed, rice, millet, seeding and flowering grasses, chickweed, grass seeds
What do they eat? Herbivores
Average litter size? 4-7 eggs
How much do they weigh? 0.3-0.5 oz (9.8-14.4 g)
How long are they? 4.3-4.7 in (11-12 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? White, chestnut-brown, reddish-gold, reddish-chestnut, black, light gray
Skin Type Feathers
What were their main threats? Habitat Loss
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Wet Grassland Regions, Tropical Lowland Moist Forests, Marshes, Swamp Habitats, Rice Paddies, Sugar Cane Fields
Locations India, The West Indies, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Cuba, Jamaica, Hawaiian Islands, China, Japan, Northern South America, Central America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Lonchura
Class Aves
Family Estrildidae
Fun Tricolored Munia Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Canary seed, rice, millet, seeding and flowering grasses, chickweed, grass seeds
What do they eat? Herbivores
Average litter size? 4-7 eggs
How much do they weigh? 0.3-0.5 oz (9.8-14.4 g)
How long are they? 4.3-4.7 in (11-12 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? White, chestnut-brown, reddish-gold, reddish-chestnut, black, light gray
Skin Type Feathers
What were their main threats? Habitat Loss
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Wet Grassland Regions, Tropical Lowland Moist Forests, Marshes, Swamp Habitats, Rice Paddies, Sugar Cane Fields
Locations India, The West Indies, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Cuba, Jamaica, Hawaiian Islands, China, Japan, Northern South America, Central America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Lonchura
Class Aves
Family Estrildidae
Fun Tricolored Munia Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Canary seed, rice, millet, seeding and flowering grasses, chickweed, grass seeds
What do they eat? Herbivores
Average litter size? 4-7 eggs
How much do they weigh? 0.3-0.5 oz (9.8-14.4 g)
How long are they? 4.3-4.7 in (11-12 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? White, chestnut-brown, reddish-gold, reddish-chestnut, black, light gray
Skin Type Feathers
What were their main threats? Habitat Loss
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Wet Grassland Regions, Tropical Lowland Moist Forests, Marshes, Swamp Habitats, Rice Paddies, Sugar Cane Fields
Locations India, The West Indies, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Cuba, Jamaica, Hawaiian Islands, China, Japan, Northern South America, Central America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Lonchura
Class Aves
Family Estrildidae
Fun Tricolored Munia Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Canary seed, rice, millet, seeding and flowering grasses, chickweed, grass seeds
What do they eat? Herbivores
Average litter size? 4-7 eggs
How much do they weigh? 0.3-0.5 oz (9.8-14.4 g)
How long are they? 4.3-4.7 in (11-12 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? White, chestnut-brown, reddish-gold, reddish-chestnut, black, light gray
Skin Type Feathers
What were their main threats? Habitat Loss
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Wet Grassland Regions, Tropical Lowland Moist Forests, Marshes, Swamp Habitats, Rice Paddies, Sugar Cane Fields
Locations India, The West Indies, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Cuba, Jamaica, Hawaiian Islands, China, Japan, Northern South America, Central America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Lonchura
Class Aves
Family Estrildidae
What do they prey on? Canary seed, rice, millet, seeding and flowering grasses, chickweed, grass seeds
What do they eat? Herbivores
Average litter size? 4-7 eggs
How much do they weigh? 0.3-0.5 oz (9.8-14.4 g)
How long are they? 4.3-4.7 in (11-12 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? White, chestnut-brown, reddish-gold, reddish-chestnut, black, light gray
Skin Type Feathers
What were their main threats? Habitat Loss
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Wet Grassland Regions, Tropical Lowland Moist Forests, Marshes, Swamp Habitats, Rice Paddies, Sugar Cane Fields
Locations India, The West Indies, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Cuba, Jamaica, Hawaiian Islands, China, Japan, Northern South America, Central America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Lonchura
Class Aves
Family Estrildidae
What do they prey on? Canary seed, rice, millet, seeding and flowering grasses, chickweed, grass seeds
What do they eat? Herbivores
Average litter size? 4-7 eggs
How much do they weigh? 0.3-0.5 oz (9.8-14.4 g)
How long are they? 4.3-4.7 in (11-12 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? White, chestnut-brown, reddish-gold, reddish-chestnut, black, light gray
Skin Type Feathers
What were their main threats? Habitat Loss
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
What do they prey on?
Canary seed, rice, millet, seeding and flowering grasses, chickweed, grass seeds
What do they eat?
Herbivores
Average litter size?
4-7 eggs
How much do they weigh?
0.3-0.5 oz (9.8-14.4 g)
How long are they?
4.3-4.7 in (11-12 cm)
How tall are they?
N/A
What do they look like?
White, chestnut-brown, reddish-gold, reddish-chestnut, black, light gray
Skin Type
Feathers
What were their main threats?
Habitat Loss
What is their conservation status?
Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Wet Grassland Regions, Tropical Lowland Moist Forests, Marshes, Swamp Habitats, Rice Paddies, Sugar Cane Fields
Locations India, The West Indies, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Cuba, Jamaica, Hawaiian Islands, China, Japan, Northern South America, Central America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Lonchura
Class Aves
Family Estrildidae
Where you’ll find them?
Wet Grassland Regions, Tropical Lowland Moist Forests, Marshes, Swamp Habitats, Rice Paddies, Sugar Cane Fields
Locations
India, The West Indies, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Cuba, Jamaica, Hawaiian Islands, China, Japan, Northern South America, Central America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Lonchura
Kingdom
Animalia
Genus
Lonchura
Class Aves
Family Estrildidae
