Common Name: Scaly-breasted Munia
Scientific Name: Lonchura punctulata
Family: Estrildidae
Nepali Name: Kotero Munia ( कोटेरो मुनियाँ )
Size: 7-12cm (size)
Location: Salang (Dhading), Bhimdhunga (Kathmandu).

The Scaly-breasted Munia is a small, sociable finch commonly seen in Nepal’s lowlands and mid-hills. It inhabits elevations between 75–1,525 meters, thriving in open grasslands, farmlands, and the edges of forests.

Recognized by the beautiful, scaled black and white patterns in the chest with chestnut color in the upper part of the body with a black beak, this bird often forages in flocks, feeding mainly on grass seeds and grains. Its gregarious nature and adaptability make it a familiar sight around agricultural fields, where it plays both the role of a seed disperser and, at times, a crop raider.

Please feel free to comment below if the above species has been misidentified.