Scaly-breasted Munia

Description:

Slate grey beak, chestnut patch on throat, scaly brown and beige breast, brown back.

Habitat:

There are at least 11 subspecies recognized of this common asian bird. Photo 3 shows the habitat where I found this pair in a vacant weedy lot near the lookout over the city of Sihanoukville.

Notes:

Wiki says "In many areas it is regarded as an agricultural pest, feeding in large flocks on cultivated cereals such as rice.[52] In Southeast Asia, the scaly-breasted munia is trapped in large numbers for Buddhist ceremonies, but most birds are later released.[3]". We saw cages full of these birds on the quay beside the Mekong during the most recent Buddhist celebration. They are apparently released during the ceremony to represent the spirits of dead ancestors being freed.