Habitat

Distributed throughout India, Ceylon and some parts of Bengal. These birds are generally very sociable. Munias are extremely restless and playful birds, with chirping sound throughout the day.

Length of life in captivity

These birds have lived in the captivity for 3 years. These birds appear to thrive well in captivity.

Housing

Munias are kept in large sized cages. Shell grit provided b the side of the cage. Perches and small pots are provided for the birds to rest.

Food

Mixed grains - 5 gms

Common Illnesses Among Munias

Diarrhea

A bird parried watery motion and on fecal analysis, it was found to contain eggs, capillaria sp. The bird was dewormed. But still diarrhea persists. Then one shot of sulpha drugs stooped the enteritis. Electrolytes mixed with feed/water.

Conjunctivitis

The eyes and the surrounding parts become swollen and discharges noticed from the eyes. The bird was put in a separate cage and the eyes were washed with saline water and eye drops (2 drops) applied over the affected eyes thrice daily for 3 days. Bird was active on 3rd day and took its entire feed.

Heat stress/apoplexy

Sudden death of birds occurred in summer due to heat stress. Hence, gunny bags are tied over the cage and watered in morning and night during summer to reduce heat stress.

Synonyms

Black headed Munia and Spotted Munia

Habitat

Distributed throughout India, Ceylon and some parts of Bengal. These birds are generally very sociable. Munias are extremely restless and playful birds, with chirping sound throughout the day. Read the rest of this entry »

Habitat

Very commonly found in most parts of Bengal and also in Bihar and Assam valley.

Length of life in captivity

The birds found in the garden lived for nearly 3 years. It’s a hardy bird which bears captivity well.

Treatment in Health

Housing: In our garden, kept in a spacious enclosure. Provided shell grit at one place which serves as a mineral supplement. Provided separate troughs for feeding and water bird has been provided perches.

Food: Mixed grains and fruits

Breeding: Not much known about their breeding, as they do not breed in the captivity.

Treatment in sickness: Nothing particular is known of their ailments in captivity.

Habitat

Forest clad hills of Southern India

Length of life in Captivity

Once acclimatized these birds bear captivity well. About one year in this garden.

Housing

The birds were houses in a spacious enclosure with sufficient exposure to the sunlight. They were provided with separate feed and water troughs. The birds were provided with perches to sit on it. The enclosure are spacious such that the birds can fly freely inside.

Food in Captivity

Mixed grains - 50 gms
Bread slices - 2 Nos
Greens - 25 gms
Onion - 25 gms
Shell grit - Q.S
Assorted fruits - 10 gms

Treatment in Sickness

Conjunctivitis is commonly found among these birds. The affected birds are separated and put in a cage. Eyes are washed with saline water and eye drops like gentin, ciprofloxazacin etc., can be applied thrice daily. Prophylactic measures adopted by mixing (vitablend) mineral and vitamin supplements in their feed/water.

Since the birds have addicted to spill their food, entry of black outs whose bite will be very painful was evidenced in our garden. Thorough draining of the surrounding is essential to overcome this disaster.