Munias eating grass seeds IV

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.