10-11-2016 MANDALAY, MYANMAR - INDIAN SILVERBILL (Euodice malabarica)

The Indian silverbill or white-throated munia (Euodice malabarica ) is a small passerine bird found in the Indian Subcontinent and adjoining regions that was formerly considered to include the closely related African silverbill (Euodice cantans ). This estrildid finch is a common resident breeding bird in the drier regions of the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent. It has also been introduced into many other parts of the world and has become established in some areas. They forage in small flocks in grassland and scrub habitats.

The adult Indian silverbill is 11–11.5 cm long and has a conical silver-grey bill, buff-brown upperparts, white underparts, buffy flanks and dark wings. The tail is black and the wings are dark contrasting with a white rump. The sexes are similar, but immatures have buff underparts and a shorter tail. The tail appears pointed as the length of the feathers reduces from the centre outwards. It feeds mainly on seeds, but also takes insects and has been known to visit nectar bearing flowers, such as those of Erythrina trees.

It frequents dry open scrub, fallow land and cultivation, sometimes near water. Although mainly found on the plains, they can be found up to about 1200 m in some sub-Himalayan regions. It occurs in Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Iran and Israel. It has been accidentally introduced into many other parts of the world and has established itself in Jordan, Israel, Kuwait, Oman, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt since 2019, United States, Virgin Islands (possibly extinct) and Nice (southern France).

Although largely sedentary, some populations make seasonal movements.

These birds are gregarious and are found in flocks of as many as 60 birds. They feed on the ground or on low shrubs and grass stalks. They constantly utter a low cheeping or chirping contact call as they forage. They visit water and drink with a rapid sip and swallow action. Their feed on a wide range of grass seeds and will also make use of crop species.The breeding season is spread out and varies with region. They nest in winter in southern India and after summer in northern India. They nest, an untidy ball of grasses with an opening on the side, is placed in low shrubs, often on thorny Acacia and are known to make use of the old nests of baya weaver sometimes even visiting those that are occupied by the weaver birds. They will sometimes build their nest below the platform nests of vultures or storks. Old nests are used as dormitories through the year for roosting. Females are known to lay their eggs in the nests of other pairs. The clutch varies from 4 to 8 white eggs and these are incubated by both parents for about 11 days. Helpers may be involved in breeding as more than a pair are sometimes seen at a nest.

20-3-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - INDIAN SILVERBILL (Euodice malabarica)

The Indian silverbill, or white-throated munia, is a diminutive passerine bird adorned with a conical silver-grey bill. It boasts buff-brown upperparts and pristine white underparts, with buffy flanks and a contrasting dark plumage on its wings. The rump is a striking white, and the tail is a deep black. The tail feathers taper in length from the center outwards, giving it a pointed appearance. Both sexes share a similar plumage, while the juveniles can be distinguished by their buff underparts and shorter tails.

When attempting to identify the Indian silverbill, look for its silver-grey bill and the stark contrast between its white rump and dark wings. The bird measures approximately 11 to 11.5 cm in length. The pointed tail and the uniform coloration of adults versus the buff tones in juveniles are also key identification markers.

The Indian silverbill is a bird of dry, open habitats. It is commonly found in scrublands, fallow fields, and areas of cultivation, sometimes venturing near bodies of water. It is a species that thrives in the plains but can also be encountered up to elevations of around 1200 meters in certain sub-Himalayan regions.

This species is native to the Indian Subcontinent and parts of the Middle East. Its range extends across Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Iran, and Israel. The Indian silverbill has also been introduced to other parts of the world, where it has successfully established populations in countries such as Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United States, and parts of southern France.

Indian silverbills are sociable creatures, often seen in flocks that can number up to 60 individuals. They forage primarily on the ground or among low shrubs and grasses. A distinctive trait is their constant, soft cheeping or chirping calls as they move about in search of food. They exhibit a rapid sip-and-swallow technique when drinking water.

The Indian silverbill communicates with a soft, cheeping or chirping sound, which serves as a contact call within the flock.

Breeding seasons for the Indian silverbill vary by region, with southern India seeing nests in winter and northern India after the summer. Their nests are rather untidy balls of grass with a side entrance, often placed in thorny Acacia shrubs. They have also been known to utilize old nests of baya weavers and sometimes build beneath the platform nests of larger birds such as vultures or storks. The species is known for intraspecific nest parasitism, where females lay eggs in the nests of other pairs. Clutches typically contain 4 to 8 white eggs, incubated by both parents for about 11 days. Helpers may also assist in the nesting process.

The diet of the Indian silverbill is predominantly seed-based, including a variety of grass seeds and occasionally crop species. They have also been observed feeding on insects and visiting nectar-bearing flowers, such as those of Erythrina trees.