Lonchura caniceps
Not Threatened
Taxonomy: Munia caniceps Salvadori, 1876, Naiabui, Hall Sound, New Guinea. Previously thought, on biogeographical grounds, to form a species pair with L. vana. Study of mitochondrial phylogeny indicated close relationship with L. stygia and L. spectabilis. Has apparently hybridized with L. castaneothorax in lowlands near Port Moresby. Racial affinities of mid-montane populations of this species on N watershed at Garaina, Chirima Valley and Myola grasslands not determined; have been included, tentatively, with scratchleyana, and Myola birds (with head and breast darker grey) described as race myolae; further study required. Three subspecies recognized. (source: Handbook of the Birds of World)
Subspecies and Distribution:
- * kumusii ( E. J. O. Hartert, 1911) - N coast of SE New Guinea. * scratchleyana ( Sharpe, 1898) - mountains of SE New Guinea. * caniceps ( Salvadori, 1876) - S coast of SE New Guinea.
Their diet mainly consists of grass seeds and weeds, but they also have a fondness for insects.