Spice Finch or Nutmeg Mannikin

Description:

Finch to 11cms. Head and throat chocolate-brown, upper parts grey-brown. Underparts scaly or scalloped patterning. When exiting the nest, it scanned the surrounds, tail flicking constantly, and then flew off to collect more nesting materials. It collected from a palm tree about 50m away. It returned with a long strand trailing from its beak and went straight into the nest and incorporated the material. A few minutes later it repeated the process.

Habitat:

Nesting in palm tree inflorescence, which provides protection from other birds. The entry to the nest was like a maze, where only a small bird could enter.