White-headed Munia
Lonchura maja
Silhouette: Ferran Sayol · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyEstrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)
- GenusLonchura (Typical Munias and Mannikins)
- SpeciesLonchura maja (White-headed Munia)
About the White-headed Munia
The white-headed munia (Lonchura maja) is a small passerine bird belonging to the estrildid finch family. This species is often confused with, and referred to as, the Pale-headed munia (Lonchura pallida) which can be differentiated by tan coloured flanks which are lighter than the brown wings and also by the absence of the black belly.
The white-headed munia was formally described in 1766 by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in the twelfth edition of his Systema Naturae under the binomial name Loxia maja. Linnaeus cited George Edwards's "The Malacca Gros-beak" and Mathurin Jacques Brisson's "Le Maia de la Chine". The English naturalist John Ray used the word "Maia" for a Cuban bird in 1768. Linnaeus specified the locality as East India. This was amended to Malacca in 1924. The white-headed munia is now placed in the genus Lonchura that was introduced by the English naturalist William Henry Sykes in 1832. It is treated as monotypic: no subspecies are recognised.
The White-headed munia has a distinctive chocolate-brown body and a contrasting white head and throat. They are typically 11 cm in length and weigh around 11 grams. Adult birds have... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of White-headed Munia in Way Kambas National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Way Kambas National Park
Nutmeg Mannikin
Lonchura punctulata
Javan Munia
Lonchura leucogastroides
White-capped Munia
Lonchura ferruginosa
White-bellied Munia
Lonchura leucogastra
White-rumped Munia
Lonchura striata
Red Avadavat
Amandava amandava
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo
Dicrurus paradiseus
Yellow-vented Bulbul
Pycnonotus goiavier
Ashy Tailorbird
Orthotomus ruficeps
Malayan Banded-Pitta
Hydrornis irena
Banded Broadbill
Eurylaimus javanicus
Sumatran Babbler
Pellorneum buettikoferi
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kerinci Seblat National Park | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | |
| 2 | Way Kambas National Park | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | |
| 3 | Bali Barat National Park | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | |
| 4 | Gunung Leuser National Park | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | |
| 5 | Taman Negara National Park | 🇲🇾 Malaysia |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a White-headed Munia in Way Kambas National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a White-headed Munia sighting in Way Kambas National Park, based on 23 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see White-headed Munia in Way Kambas National Park?
October has the highest sighting rate for White-headed Munia in Way Kambas National Park in our monthly data.