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Bronze Mannikin
Afrikaans name: Gewone Fret
Bronze Mannikin
Photo © Steven Herbert
Lonchura cucullata
In some places the Bronze Mannikin is called a Bronze Munia. It is a small finch-like bird weighing around 10 grams. It is about 9 cm in length.
Male and female Bronze Mannikins look alike. Immatures are a more plain buffy brown.
This is a very common species, even in urban areas, and is a familiar sight in gardens over the eastern portion of the country.
Their nests are a grassy structure in a tree. Sometimes they nest by themselves and other times in colonies. Up to 8 eggs are laid.
During the breeding season in summer the Bronze Mannikin is often seen singly or in pairs. Out of the breeding season they tend to be in flocks.
Photo © Steven Herbert
Photo © Steven Herbert
Above and below - Bronze Mannikins are quick to find bird feeders in gardens. They prefer the fine 'wild bird' seed. During winter they tend to feed in large flocks while during the summer breeding season they are often seen singly.
Photo © Steven Herbert
Photo © Steven Herbert
Above - Happy family? I don't know if this is a male or female Bronze Mannikin but it does seem to have a handful of kids wanting attention!
Photo © Steven Herbert
Above and below - Bronze and Red-backed Mannikins are similar in looks but there are a number of differences. Sometimes they may feed together and, side by side, it is quite easy to tell them apart. The Bronze Mannikin (above) is a plain brown on the back and doesn't have too much black on the head. It has quite a bit of barring on its white underparts. The Red-backed Mannikin is a more attractive and clean-cut bird. The back is a reddish brown and there is extensive black on the head. The white underparts do not have other markings.
Photo © Steven Herbert
References and further reading
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 29Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Year Published: 1992 - Page: 117
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 81
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 222
Geoff Lockwood's Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Year Published: - Page: 143
Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 764
Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 763
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 430