Lonchura melaena
The Buff-bellied Mannikin, *Lonchura melaena*, is an engaging member of the Estrildidae family, endemic to the island of New Guinea. Measuring approximately 11-12 cm (4.3-4.7 inches) in length and weighing around 10-12 grams, this small passerine is characterized by its glossy black to dark brown head, throat, and upperparts, which contrast sharply with its distinctive buff or pale tawny belly and flanks. A narrow, often indistinct, dark band may subtly separate the dark chest from the lighte...
This mannikin primarily inhabits open grasslands, savanna, and cultivated areas, often near forest edges or human settlements, typically found at elevations from sea level up to 1,500 meters.
Their diet consists almost exclusively of small grass seeds, which they expertly extract from seed heads or glean from the ground, supplemented occasionally by small insects, especially during the breeding season.
Buff-bellied Mannikins are highly social birds, typically observed in flocks ranging from a few individuals to dozens, especially outside the breeding season, often mingling with other mannikin species. They are diurnal, spending their days actively foraging for seeds on the ground or within gras...
The Buff-bellied Mannikin is entirely endemic to the island of New Guinea, with its distribution concentrated across the central and eastern regions. Its primary range extends throughout the lowlands and foothills of Papua New Guinea, particularly within the expansive Sepik-Ramu basin, the Markha...
Least Concern
- The Buff-bellied Mannikin is often found associating in mixed flocks with other mannikin species, such as the Grey-banded Mannikin (*Lonchura vana*), showcasing interspecies social dynamics. - Despite its name, the 'mannikin' group of birds are not closely related to true finches (Fringillidae)...