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

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References and further reading

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Year Published: 1983 - Page: 312

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1959 - Page: 29

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 29

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 220

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Year Published: 1992 - Page: 117

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 269

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 81

Common Birds of the North Coast - Author: Bing Comrie - Year Published: 2005 - Page: 75

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

Ian Sinclair's Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 318

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 1984 - Page: 430

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 2000 - Page: 430

Newman's Garden Birds - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 120

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Year Published: 1949 - Page: 353

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 572

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1981 - Page: 584

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 - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 398

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 430

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Year Published: 1989 - Page: 131

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 186

List of South African Birds