Tricolored Munia: The Tricolored Mannequin

 Tricolored Munia: The Tricolored Mannequin

Tricolored Munia is a small Finch-like bird with bright chestnut colored wings, back and tail. The head region and the belly is black with white underparts. These three bold colors are present in its plumage. Tricolored munia is native to the Indian Subcontinent and was introduced to America. It is distributed from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha in central and southern India upto Sri Lanka in the south.  In recent decades its range has expanded to north locally to Punjab, Nepal, and Bangladesh. It inhabits marshes and lush grasslands. It may also be found in tropical lowland moist forest habitats.   

Visually, males and females both appear similar. However the female has a smaller beak, while the male has a bolder and wider head. Only the male sings. The song is quiet, starting with short squeaks and ending in a long peeeeee. 

Grass seed, rice, millet, seeding and flowering grass and chickweed are the main food of the tricolored munia. They live in small family groups but may form large flocks too. Sometimes they become minor pests to the rice farmers. 

During courtship the male carries a blade of grass to the female, perches beside her and drops it as an expression of love. Then he stops singing and leans forward to the female. The receptive female crouches horizontally with her head and tail towards the male. Nests are generally built in reeds, coarse grasses or rushes a few feet above water. 

The male gathers nesting materials but both share in the construction of the nest. The female lays 4-7 eggs which require 12-13 days to hatch. Both birds take turns in brooding during the day and both sleep in the nest at night. The new born chicks learn to fly at 22-28 days of age. This excellent gift of nature requires our awareness for their survival and breeding.