
Photo: Surabhi Srivastava · CC BY 4.0
Euodice malabarica
Diet
Mainly seeds; also insects and nectar
Habitat
Dry open scrub, fallow land and cultivation
Size
11–11.5cm
The Indian silverbill, or white-throated munia, is a small finch 11–11.5cm long with a conical silver-grey bill, buff-brown upperparts, white underparts and buffy flanks. Its dark wings and pointed black tail contrast with a white rump. The sexes look alike, and immatures have buff underparts and a shorter tail. It was formerly placed in Lonchura and once included the African silverbill (Wikipedia, general species account).
It feeds mainly on seeds but also takes insects and visits nectar-bearing flowers such as coral trees. It is largely sedentary, though some populations move seasonally, and it has been introduced to and become established in several other parts of the world (Wikipedia, general species account).