The scaly-breasted munia or spotted munia (Lonchura punctulata) is named for the white, scalloped, or scale-like patterns on its breast and belly. Endemic to Asia, from India and Sri Lanka east to Indonesia and the Philippines, it inhabits open, warm habitats across tropical and subtropical Asia, including grasslands, cultivated fields (especially rice paddies), scrublands, and gardens. It is primarily a seed-eater, feeding on grass and weedy plants, and is sometimes considered an agricultural pest due to its consumption of cultivated grains like rice. Typically found near water sources it has also been introduced to many other parts of the world, including the West Indies, Hawaii, Australia, Japan, and parts of the United States.
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