Alpine Munia Lonchura monticola Scientific name definitions

11·5 cm. Forehead and face to throat are black, crown brownish-black, becoming greyish-brown on nape and sides of neck to back, upper rump chestnut, lower rump and uppertail-coverts pale yellow, tail quills blackish with pale yellow fringes; breast white, broad black band below, belly white, flanks broadly blotched and barred black, thighs, vent and undertail-coverts black; iris dark brown, eyering grey; bill pale grey; legs grey. Sexes alike. Juvenile is brown above, rump and uppertail-coverts buffy brown, face dark brown with dusky markings, breast brown, belly and undertail-coverts tawny; bill grey.

Wharton and Owen Stanley Ranges (E to Myola grasslands), in SE New Guinea.

Alpine grasslands and rocky scree on high mountain peaks, cultivated fields, at 2700–3500 m; at lower elevations to 2100 m along trails, and on Mt Albert Edward common at 3900 m. Forages on short turf around cultivation and villages.

No information; presumed resident.

Seeds of grasses, bamboo and herbs. Clings to grass stems and picks seeds from heads; also hops on ground to take fallen seeds. Forages in pairs and in flocks generally of 20–50 individuals; immatures often form separate, smaller flocks. Associates with L. caniceps.

Calls a thin "see see see" given in flight, and a rattling buzz.

Breeding records in Apr–May wet season, also in Aug. Nest woven from rushes and grasses, placed 3 m above ground in small tree. No other information.

Not globally threatened. Restricted range species: present in Central Papuan Mountains EBA. Locally common. No known threats, and not known to be trapped for trade.