Streak-headed mannikin

Streak-headed mannikin
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Estrildidae
Genus: Mayrimunia
Species:
M. tristissima
Binomial name
Mayrimunia tristissima
(Wallace, 1865)

The streak-headed mannikin (Mayrimunia tristissima) also known as the streak-headed munia, is a small 10 cm (3.9 in) long estrildid finch.

Description

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Mainly dark brown plumage with light streaking on head and yellowish rump; subspecies leucosticta also with white spotting on face, breast and upper wing-coverts. The call is a short buzzing note, repeated in flight.

Habitat and distribution

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Endemic to New Guinea and some adjacent islands. It has been recorded from Saibai Island, Queensland, Australian territory in north-western Torres Strait. Its preferred habitat is the grassy fringes of streams, forest clearings and abandoned gardens with secondary growth, in lowland New Guinea up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft) altitude.

Behaviour and ecology

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Breeding

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A globular grass nest is constructed with side entrance, often suspended from rattans, in forest or at forest edge.

Food and feeding

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The diet is mainly seeds and berries but it also includes some insects.

Conservation

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As a species with a large range and no evidence of population decline, it is assessed as being of Least Concern.

References

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  1. ^ BirdLife International (2012). "Lonchura tristissima". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  • Beehler, Bruce M.; & Finch, Brian W. (1985). Species Checklist of the Birds of New Guinea. RAOU Monograph No.1. Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union: Melbourne. ISBN 0-9599823-2-9
  • Beehler, Bruce M.; Pratt, Thane K.; & Zimmerman, Dale A. (1986). Birds of New Guinea. Wau Ecology Handbook No.9. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-02394-8
  • BirdLife International (2006) Species factsheet: Lonchura tristissima. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 3 Feb 2007
  • Coates, Brian J. (1990). The Birds of Papua New Guinea. Vol.II: Passerines. Dove Publications: Alderly, Queensland. ISBN 0-9590257-1-5