The Scaly-breasted Munia, Nutmeg Mannikin or Spice Finch (Lonchura punctulata) is a small passerine bird. This estrildid finch is a resident breeding bird in tropical southern Asia from India and Sri Lanka east to Indonesia and the Philippines.

The Scaly-breasted Munia is a small gregarious bird which feeds mainly on seeds. It frequents open woodland and cultivation. The nest is a large domed grass structure in a tree or under the eaves of a house into which 4-10 white eggs are laid.

The Scaly-breasted Munia is 11-12cm in length.. The adult has a stubby dark bill, brown upperparts and darker brown head. The underparts are white with black scale markings. The sexes are similar, but immature birds have pale brown upperparts, lack the darker head and have uniform buff underparts.

Reference

• Birds of India by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp, ISBN 0-691-04910-6