Indian Silverbill

Description:

The Indian Silverbill or White-throated Munia is a small passerine bird found in the Indian Subcontinent and adjoining regions that was formerly considered to include the closely related African Silverbill (Lonchura cantans). This Estrildid finch is a common resident breeding bird in the drier regions of the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent. It has also been introduced into many other parts of the world and has become established in some areas. They forage in small flocks in grassland and scrub habitats.

Habitat:

It frequents dry open scrub, fallow land and cultivation, sometimes near water. Although mainly found on the plains, they can be found up to about 1200 m in some sub-Himalayan regions. It occurs in Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Iran and Israel. It has been accidentally introduced into many other parts of the world and has established itself in Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Puerto Rico (introduced), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, USA (introduced) and Virgin Islands (possibly extinct) and Nice (S.France).