Three Coloured Mannikin
The Three Coloured Mannikin, also known as the Three-coloured Munia or the Chestnut Munia, is a small bird species that are native to Southeast Asia, including parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
As their name suggests, Three Coloured Mannikins have a distinctive tri-colored plumage, with black feathers on the head and neck, chestnut-brown feathers on the back, and white feathers on the underparts. They also have a bright red beak and legs, which provide a striking contrast to their dark and light feathers.
These birds are social and live in flocks in the wild. They are often found in grasslands, rice paddies, and other open habitats, where they feed on a variety of seeds, fruits, and insects.
In captivity, Three Coloured Mannikins are popular pets due to their colorful appearance and cheerful personalities. They require a spacious aviary with plenty of room to fly and exercise, as well as perches, toys, and other forms of stimulation. They also need a balanced diet that includes a variety of seeds, fruits, and vegetables, as well as live insects.
Three Coloured Mannikins are known for their energetic behavior and their musical and melodious songs. They can be kept in mixed-species aviaries with other small birds, but it is important to ensure that they are housed with compatible species that share their gentle nature.
Scientific Name: Lonchura malacca
Origin: India
The Three-colored Mannikin is very easy to manage, but not a bird from which to expect spectacular breeding results. It is a very popular specie with beginners since it is so hardy. Most of the mannikin species share this quality. They are all simple to keep.
Description:
Size: Just under 10 cm (4 in)
COCK: Cock and hen are alike.
A pleasing color combination of black, white, and chestnut-brown. Cannot be sexed by appearance.
Diet: (Seedeater)
Mixed millets and plain canary seeds form the basic diet. Spray millet, seeding grasses, and green food are enjoyed.
Breeding:
Breeding this species is a challenge for the fancier. It is worth making the effort to try to create the type of conditions this species would find in the wild. Just to give you an idea, in India their habitat would be in long grass, mostly near rice fields where the nests would be built, hanging from the sturdy stems. Therefore, you could use bamboo or ordinary cane or rushes planted in the flight with other shrubs. It is worth trying to encourage the birds to nest. The provision of a few old nests might be worth trying; sometimes this species will take over an old nest and rebuild. Small live food should be provided, together with fresh ants’ eggs, and some mashed hard-boiled eggs may be fed. Stale-soaked bread and the germinated seed should be made available if you find yourself with a nest of chicks.
This species has no audible song but it has a most attractive, glossy appearance and usually, does well on the show bench. Plenty of different types of mannikins are available but this is certainly one of the best. It is a very healthy bird that usually thrives with the minimum of attention. It is well worth persevering in attempting to breed with this species.
Three-Colored Mannikin Information
- For breeding, the birds should be kept in aviaries. Caged birds have a low rate of success in producing and rearing young ones into adulthood.
- The bird is suitable for a community aviary with peaceful-natured finches. The inclusion of only one pair of birds per aviary is ideal for them.
- To avoid hybridizing the birds should not be kept along with munias and others species belonging to the manikin family. Hybridizing gives rise to confusion in determining the breeds of birds as in many cases hybridized birds may appear similar to another distinct breed of bird. Even genetic traits also get diluted reducing the quality of the newly born birds.
- In the wild other than feeding and drinking the birds hardly spend their time grazing on the grounds. They love tall grasses and scrubby bushes.
- Both sexes of birds are good parents as the pair develops a strong bonding.
Despite being good parents, the chicks are to be removed as soon as their fledging is complete. The male parent may become aggressive towards the young males.
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