Bronze-winged Mannikin

Bronze-winged Mannikin ,Lonchura cucullata, is found in Africa, south of the Sahara except for the southwest. Also found on the islands of Fernando Po, Principe, Sao Tome’, Pemba, Zanzibar, Mafia, Comoros; introduced to Puerto Rico. Habitat: Savannahs & scrub, open woodland, forest edge, along rivers, cultivated areas, open clearings, farms & gardens. Description: Black upper bill, silver lower bill; brownish black head with metallic green or purplish sheen; brownish black throat and upper breast; brown back & wings; shoulders sport a metallic green patch; flanks are mottled brown & white; black tail with brown-and-black cross-barred rump; white belly; dark grey or blackish legs. L. c. cucullata may also have some variable glossy green patches along the flanks which the L. c. scutata subspecies tends to lack. Juveniles have a black beak and are dark grey-brown with light grey-brown throat and breast, buff belly, brownish-buff flanks. Sexes appear similar, though the he