Scaly-breasted munia

Description

The scaly-breasted munia or spotted munia (Lonchura punctulata),known in the pet trade as nutmeg mannikin or spice finch,is a sparrow-sized estrildid finch native to tropical Asia.A species of the genus Lonchura,it was formally described and named by Carl Linnaeus in 1758.Its name is based on the distinct scale-like feather markings on the breast and belly.The adult is brown above and has a dark conical bill.The species has 11 subspecies across their range and differ slightly in size and colour.