Fauna
Bird

Bronze Mannikin

Lonchura cucullata

Also known as Bronze Munia

Bronze mannikins are highly gregarious estrildid finches that travel in noisy chatterbox flocks across grasslands, farmlands, and forest edges. They spend their days feeding on ripening grass heads or roosting tightly side-by-side on low branches, mutual grooming to reinforce social bonds. Communal night roosting is standard, with dozens of birds squeezing into old domed breeding nests to keep warm through cool night hours.

SocialSeed EaterFlocking
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyGrass seeds, Rice grains, Millet seeds
Predators
  • Shrikes
  • Small hawks
  • Snakes
ThreatsAgricultural eradication attempts, trapping for pet trade
HabitatsMesic savanna, forest margins, cultivated fields, grassy clearings, suburban gardens
Life span4–8 years
  1. FamilyEstrildidae
  2. SpeciesLonchura cucullata
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Listen for Calls: Search near grassy clearings for their quiet, metallic reedy calls.
  • Look for Flocks: Watch low shrubs and grain stalks where dozens often forage together.
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…