27-12-2023 BUKAU, GAMBIA - BRONZE MANNIKIN (Spermestes cucullatus)

The bronze mannikin or bronze munia (Spermestes cucullata) is a small passerine (i.e. perching) bird of the Afrotropics. This very social estrildid finch is an uncommon to locally abundant bird in much of Africa south of the Sahara Desert, where it is resident, nomadic or irruptive in mesic savanna or forest margin habitats. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 8,100,000 km2. It is the smallest and most widespread of four munia species on the African mainland, the other being black-and-white, red-backed and magpie mannikin. It co-occurs with the Madagascar mannikin on the Comoro Islands, and was introduced to Puerto Rico. Especially in the West Africa, it is considered a pest in grain and rice fields. It is locally trapped for the pet bird trade.

 The bronze mannikin is one of the smallest munia species, measuring 9–10 cm in length and weighing 7–12 grams. The adult is a compact bird with a short black tail, and stubby black and pale grey (not distinctly bluish) mandibles. It is black to brownish black on the head, chin, throat and center of the chest, with some purple-green iridescence on the face and sides of the breast. It has greyish brown upper parts and white underparts with irregular barring on the flanks and rump. A small green iridescent patch is present on the outer scapular feathers, besides, especially in the western race, the sides of the lower breast. Wing coverts and remiges are bordered in a paler or warmer tone. The sexes are similar. Immature birds are dun brown above with buff head and underpart plumage. They moult into full adult plumage by age six months, when the males also begin to sing and exhibit breeding behaviour. The race S. c. scutata has barred rather than bronzy green plumage at the junction of the lower breast and flanks. Rump and upper tail feathers only finely barred and almost uniformly dark. These characters are however somewhat variable and unpredictable.

This species has a number of calls including a rreep-rreeep in flight, a twittering when perched, consisting of various wheezy or buzzing notes. The song is a concatenated and somewhat repetitive series of notes.

19-12-2022 BRUFUT FOREST, GAMBIA - BRONZE MANNIKIN (Spermestes cucullatus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/367700-Spermestes-cucullata

17-4-2022 MANDINA LODGE, GAMBIA - BRONZE MANNIKIN (Spermestes cucullatus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/367700-Spermestes-cucullata

4-4-2018 PHINDA GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - BRONZE MANNIKIN (Spermestes cucullatus)

                   

The Bronze Mannikin, or Bronze Munia (Spermestes cucullata), presents itself as a diminutive passerine, a member of the estrildid finch family. This bird, with its compact form and a weight between 7 and 12 grams, is the smallest and most widespread of the four munia species found on the African mainland.

Adult Bronze Mannikins are characterized by their black to brownish-black heads, chins, throats, and central chests, with a subtle purple-green iridescence adorning the face and sides of the breast. Their upper parts are greyish brown, while the underparts are white with irregular barring on the flanks and rump. Notably, a small green iridescent patch can be seen on the outer scapular feathers. Both sexes appear similar, and the immature birds are distinguishable by their dun brown upper parts and buff head and underpart plumage.

These birds are commonly found in mesic savanna or forest margin habitats across the Afrotropics.

The Bronze Mannikin is a resident, nomadic, or irruptive species across much of Africa south of the Sahara Desert. It also inhabits the islands of Bioko, Pemba, Zanzibar, Mafia, and Comoro, and has been introduced to Puerto Rico.

Bronze Mannikins are highly social and gregarious, often seen in flocks. They exhibit a communal lifestyle, especially evident in their nesting habits, where they construct ball-shaped nests for roosting. These nests are frequently rebuilt using materials from dismantled ones. The flocks are known to defend their nesting area vigorously, yet they are welcoming to new flock members.

The Bronze Mannikin communicates with a variety of calls, including a 'rreep-rreeep' in flight and a twittering series of wheezy or buzzing notes when perched. The male's song consists of a repetitive series of notes.

Breeding Bronze Mannikins are prolific nest builders, capable of raising up to four broods annually under favorable conditions. Their nests are large domed structures made of grass, placed in trees. Each clutch consists of 4 to 8 small, white eggs, with a 12-day incubation period. Fledging occurs after three weeks, with independence reached three weeks thereafter.

The Bronze Mannikin can be confused with other munia species, but its size and specific plumage details, such as the barring on the flanks and the green iridescent patch, aid in its identification.

Their diet primarily consists of seeds, including those from wild grasses, millet, rice, and grain. They may also consume termites, nectar, or algae.

The Bronze Mannikin is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating a stable population across its extensive range.