Subject: ID please - Chestnut Munia ? [Print This Page] Author: fkkc Time: 1/01/2011 18:07 Subject: ID please - Chestnut Munia ?
Could this be a Chestnut Munia ?
It was found this morning in Lam Tsuen among a flock of Scaly-breasted Munia.
Author: lchunfai Time: 1/01/2011 18:15
It looks like a Scaly-breasted Munia to me.. A stained munia ? Author: bittern Time: 1/01/2011 20:49
The coloration of neither of the munia species matches this bird, though its beak matches a finch's. I'm not an expert. Any opinions from the outside world?
If I had to make a choice, though, it does look like a sparrow: its head at least.
Any known sparrow-bunting hybrids? Author: tmichael Time: 1/01/2011 21:33
I think it is definitely a Munia - can't remember seeing Chestnut that look like this in juv/imm plumage but it looks plausible. Equally could be just an aberrant Scaly-breasted I suppose.
Mike Turnbull Author: fkkc Time: 1/01/2011 21:50
Thanks, Mike, Bittern and Fai-jai. Author: ajohn Time: 12/01/2011 17:22
I find this an interesting bird. I don't think this can be either of the common Munia species (scaly-breasted or White-rumped). The plumage does not fit for any plumage of these - overall plain in colour but with strong rufous tones to the upperparts (especially nape) and a pale belly. Also this bird has a relatively heavy two-tone bill, blue eye-ring and fairly square-cut tail. I considered a juvenile White-headed (given the number of records of this species recently) or Chestnut, but those don't seem to fit either.
The bird is clearly an estrildidae species (munias, parrotfinches, etc.), probably a munia. There appears to be some contrast in the wing feathers (greater coverts and tertials) in terms of pattern and wear, suggesting it is either adult or moulting into adult plumage. There is no gape line (which is often very obvious on a juvenile munia), again supporting this being an adult. Assuming it is not an extreme mutant of one of the HK munias, it is almost certainly an escape. Beyond that, I'm really not sure what it is! Author: fkkc Time: 12/01/2011 20:53
Thanks for your comment, John.
I attach herewith 2 more photos of this bird and hope to receive more comments/discussion on this interesting bird.
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