The
Indian Silverbill or White-throated Munia (Euodice malabarica) is a
small passerine bird found in South Asia that was formerly considered to
include the closely related African Silverbill (Euodice cantans). This
estrildid finch is a common resident breeding bird in the dry regions of
the Middle East and South Asia. It has also been introduced into many
other parts of the world and has become established in some areas. They
forage in small flocks in grassland and scrub habitats.
DescriptionThe
adult Indian Silverbill is 11–11.5 cm long and has a conical
silver-grey bill, buff-brown upperparts, white underparts, buffy flanks
and dark wings. The tail is black and the wings are dark contrasting
with a white rump. The sexes are similar, but immatures have buff
underparts and a shorter tail. The tail appears pointed as the length of
the feathers reduces from the centre outwards. It feeds mainly on
seeds, but also takes insects and has been known to visit nectar bearing
flowers, such as those of Erythrina trees.[2][3]
This munia was
earlier considered to include Lonchura cantans, the African Silverbill,
which is found in the dry savannah habitats south of the Sahara Desert.
In captivity the African birds were found to preferentially pair with
mates within their own populations and did not recognize the Indian
populations as conspecific. They are however known to produce fertile
hybrids.
Habitat and distribution
It frequents dry open country
and cultivation, especially near water. Although mainly found on the
plains, they can be found up to about 1200 m in some sub-Himalayan
regions.[6] It occurs in Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka,
Iran and Israel. It has been accidentally introduced into many other
parts of the world and has established itself in Jordan, Kuwait, Oman,
Puerto Rico (introduced), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, USA (introduced) and
Virgin Islands (possibly extinct) and Nice (S. France).
Although largely sedentary, some populations make seasonal movements
Behaviour and ecology
These
birds are gregarious and are found in flocks of as many as 60 birds.
They feed on the ground or on low shrubs and grass stalks. They
constantly utter a low cheeping or chirping contact call as they forage.
They visit water and drink with a rapid sip and swallow action.[2]
Their feed on a wide range of grass seeds and will also make use of crop
species.[9]
The breeding season is spread out and varies with
region. They nest in winter in southern India and after summer in
northern India. They nest, an untidy ball of grasses with an opening on
the side, is placed in low shrubs, often on thorny Acacia and are known
to make use of the old nests of Baya Weaver sometimes even visiting
those that are occupied by the weaver birds. They will sometimes build
their nest below the platform nests of vultures or storks.[10][11][12]
Old nests are used as dormitories through the year for roosting. Females
are known to lay their eggs in the nests of other pairs.[13][14] The
clutch varies from 4 to 8 white eggs and these are incubated by both
parents for about 11 days.[2][15][16] Helpers may be involved in
breeding as more than a pair are sometimes seen at a nest.[17]
Several parasitic protozoans and coccidia (Sivatoshella lonchurae) have been described from the species.
