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Birdman Mel's Backyard Tips
Overview
Nutmeg Mannikin: Small finch with chestnut-brown upperparts and dark-scaled white underparts. Head is richer brown and bill is heavy and dark. Forages on the ground or hangs from stems to eat seeds. Native to Southeast Asia where they have been popular as cage birds. AKA Spice Finch.
Range and Habitat
Nutmeg Mannikin: Resident from India to Taiwan, south to Sri Lanka, and through southeast Asia to East Indies and Philippines. Introduced and established in Hawaii (widespread on all main islands); also introduced to Australia. Preferred habitats include reed beds, rank grass, scrub areas, grasslands, orchards, and cultivated lands, often near human habitation.
Topo Map:
Perching-like Body
Voice Text
"ki-ki-te-te", "chee, ba-hee"
Interesting Facts
The Nutmeg Mannikin is also known as Ricebird, Scaly-breasted Munia, and Spotted Munia.
Bird Term Glossary
Author
Gary Owen Dick
Artist
Samira Belous
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