First record of Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Aves: Passeriformes: Estrildidae) from Kashmir, India

Authors

  • Shazia Shafayat Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir 190001, India.
  • Fayaz Ahmad Ahanger Department of Zoology, Government Degree College Ganderbal, Jammu & Kashmir 191201, India.
  • Tariq Ahmad Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir 190001, India.
  • Bilal A. Bhat Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir 190001, India. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8596-7365
  • Zakir Hussain Najar 1,3,4,5 Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir 190001, India. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8337-5534

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.8856.16.7.25627-25629

Keywords:

Avian diversity, Grass finches, Spotted Munia, waxbills

Abstract

Scaly-breasted Munia or Spotted Munia Lonchura punctulata, is a small finch-like bird with a conical bill from the family Estrildidae, commonly known as the waxbills, grass finches, or munias. The current literature reports Scaly-breasted Munia only in Jammu province of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, which is an ecologically different landscape from Kashmir. Here we present the first photographic proof of Scaly-breasted Munia at different sites in the Kashmir region of India. During an assessment of north Kashmir’s avian diversity, the Scaly-breasted Munia was sighted at several locations in the area. The bird was identified based on its plumage colour pattern and dark bill.

Author Biographies

Shazia Shafayat, Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir 190001, India.

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Fayaz Ahmad Ahanger, Department of Zoology, Government Degree College Ganderbal, Jammu & Kashmir 191201, India.

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Tariq Ahmad, Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir 190001, India.

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Bilal A. Bhat, Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir 190001, India.

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Zakir Hussain Najar, 1,3,4,5 Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir 190001, India.

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References

Arigela, R.K., N. Siddabathula, K. Prasad & R.K. Singh (2020). Preferent wild grasses of Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. NeBIO 11(1): 13–17.

Birdlife International (2023). Downloaded on 15/06/2021. Species factsheet: Lonchura punctulata. http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/scaly-breasted-munia-lonchura-punctulata

Grimmett , R., C. Inskipp & T. Inskipp (2011). Helm Field Guides Birds of the Indian Subcontinent. Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 528 pp.

Moulton, M.P., L.J. Allen & D.K. Ferris (1992). Competition, resource use and habitat selection in two introduced Hawaiian Mannikins. Biotropica 1: 77–85.

Payne, R.B. (2020). Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata, version 1.0. In: del Hoyo, J.A., J. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D.A. Christie & E. de Juana (eds.). Birds of the World. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.nutman.01

Suhail, I., R. Ahmad & K. Ahmad (2020). Avifaunal diversity in Jammu and Kashmir State, pp. 897–831. In: Dar, G.H. & A.A. Khuroo (eds.). Biodiversity of the Himalaya: Jammu and Kashmir State, Topics in Biodiversity and Conservaton. Springer Nature, Singapore, 1100 pp. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-32-9174-4_35

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Published

26-07-2024

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