The Java Sparrow, Padda oryzivora also known as Java Finch or Java Rice Bird is a small passerine bird. This estrildid finch is a resident breeding bird in Java, Bali and Bawean in Indonesia. It is a popular cagebird, and has been introduced in a large number of other countries.

Habitat

The Java Sparrow is a very gregarious bird which feeds mainly on grain and other seeds. It frequents open grassland and cultivation, and was formerly a pest in rice fields, hence its scientific name. The nest is constructed in a tree or building, and up to eight eggs are laid.

Characteristics

The Java Sparrow is 17cm in length. The adult is unmistakable, with its grey upperparts and breast, pink belly, white-cheeked black head, red eye-ring, pink feet and thick red bill.

Both sexes are similar, but immature birds have brown upperparts and paler brown underparts and cheeks. The rest of their head is dark grey rather than black, and the bill is grey with a pink base.

The call is a chip, and the song is a rapid series of call notes chipchipchipchipchipchip.

Threats

The Java sparrow is considered to be a serious agricultural pest of rice. Due to ongoing habitat loss and hunting in some areas, the Java Sparrow is now uncommon in its native range. It is evaluated as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and is listed on Appendix II of CITES.

References

• Database entry includes justification for why this species is vulnerable
• Finches and Sparrows by Clement, Harris and Davis, ISBN 0-7136-8017-2

External links

• BirdLife Species Factsheet
• IUCN Red List
• Red Data Book

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