Search

Munias eating grass seeds IV

on 23rd May 2009

Since our earlier postings on munias and the grass seeds they take, we have been provided with more images that are being highlighted here:

Richard Lim photographed a Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata) at a resort in Bintan, Indonesia eating the seeds of the Pennisetum sp. grass (above left).

We are also showing Yang Weixing’s image of the White-headed Munia (Lonchura maja) feasting on the seeds of the crab grass, Digitaria sp. (above right).

Howard Banwell’s images come from Kuala Selangor, Malaysia. The adult (above left) and a juvenile (above right) Scaly-breasted Munia were photographed eating the seeds of the lesser brachiaria grass (Urochloa subquadripara, formerly Brachiaria distachya).

The Scaly-breasted Munia by Daisy O’Neill (above left) shows it eating the seeds of possibly the tiger grass (Thysanolaena latifolia) in Malaysia. The White-rumped Munia (Lonchura striata) by Johnny Wee shows the bird eating padi (Oryza sativa).

These birds eat mainly seeds – of grasses and other weeds, including seeds of casuarinas. They also eat the green alga, Spirogyra.

References:
1.
Duistermaat, H., 2005. Field guide to the grasses of Singapore (Excluding the bamboos). Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore Supplement 57. 176 pp.
2. Gilliland, H. B., 1971. A revised floras of Malaya. Vol. III Grasses of Malaya. Botanic Gardens Singapore. 319 pp.
3. Henderson, M.R. (1954). Malayan wild flowers – Monocotyledons. Malayan Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur. 357 pp.
4. Keng, H., S. C. Chin & H. T. W. Tan, 1990. The concise flora of Singapore Vol. II: Monocotyledons. Singapore University Press & National Parks Board. 215 pp.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

2 Responses

  1. It is striking that munias in Singapore and Malaysia seem to prefer exotic grass species, with the African Panicum maximum their absolute favourite from my own observations. In most cases they seem to take the seeds while they are still green.

  2. Generally I don’t read article on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do it! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, very nice article.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories
Archives

Overall visits (since 2005)

Live visitors
823
20432
Visitors Today
51793559
Total
Visitors

Clustrmaps (since 2016)