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A tame Scaly-breasted Munia?

on 2nd December 2009

“I was on my usual butterfly photography outing today when I encountered this rather friendly Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata). It allowed me to get up to about a foot or even closer to it. All the while it was feeding on grass seeds. Very odd, though, as these munias always give me a wide berth whenever I am around that location. Is it injured?

“But when I got up after shooting it, and made a bit of noise, it took off with a few ‘chirps’ to the trees.

“This was taken with the D3 and a Tamron 180mm macro lens! And for at least a couple of the shots, I was really at macro distance! One of those times when a macro lens can be used to shoot a bird close up.”

Recently fledged juvenile birds usually allow us to approach closer than adults before they fly off. They have yet to learn to be aware of us humans. However, Sin Khoon pointed out that there are no tail feathers in his photograph (above). In this case it is possible that the munia could be a recently released captive made for religious credits. But then Vesak Day was not around then…

Check HERE for other tail-less munias found during Vesak day.

Khew Sin Khoon
Singapore
30th November 2009

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

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