16 Feb This Small Bird Has Too Many Names | Feb 2016

This Small Bird Has Too Many Names

Scaly-breasted Munia Juvenile

If you need something new to worry about, here’s a problem few have considered: This small bird has too many names.

Officially, it’s a Scaly-breasted Munia. At least that’s the name it has now until something changes.

Or, it’s a Spotted Munia (according to some sources).

Before its recent name change, it was a Nutmeg Mannikin. But in pet stores it was sold as a Spice Finch.

If you’re a ornithologist, you would know this bird as being Lonchura punctuate (or L. punctuate).

Then, if you own one as a pet, you would call it by the name you gave it, such as “Brownie,” or “Cutie Pie,” or “Little Tweet.” Certainly, this list could go to include more possibilities than all the sounds made by humans.

Meanwhile, this bird is too busy being a bird to bother with such matters.

I suppose this is one of the advantages of having a small brain. There’s no room for nonsense.

By the way, the bird in the above photo is a juvenile. When it matures, it will look like this.

Scaly-breasted Munia, Adult

Then we might call it, “Pretty Bird.”

Much success,

Steve Kaye

The names given birds changes occasionally. Find out what the birds think about this at:

This Really Made the Birds Mad

Find More at:

The Ruby-crowned Kinglet – Small Bird, Big Name

Business Innovation by Birds

Birds Strike!

Did You Know?

The most effective way to help birds is to buy land.

Here are three organizations that excel at doing this.

1) American Bird Conservancy

2) The Nature Conservancy

3) The Trust for Public Land

Please visit their web sites to learn about the work they do.

Here’s an excellent book: The American Bird Conservancy Guide to Bird Conservation

You can help – Please share this blog with others.

Inspiring Respect for Nature, one bird at a time.

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