About Lonchura maja (Linnaeus, 1766)
The white-headed munia, with the scientific name Lonchura maja (Linnaeus, 1766), is a small passerine bird that belongs to the estrildid finch family. This species is frequently confused with and misidentified as the Pale-headed munia, Lonchura pallida. The two can be told apart by the Pale-headed munia’s tan flanks, which are lighter than its brown wings, and the Pale-headed munia’s lack of a black belly. This species is native to Southeast Asia, and occurs in the countries of Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore. White-headed munias most commonly live in tropical and subtropical habitats, including grasslands, wetlands, and cultivated areas. They are often closely associated with rice fields.
