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HAB911

(10,121 posts)
Fri Nov 14, 2025, 06:55 PM Friday

A new one for me!

Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata), also known as the Spice Finch or Nutmeg Mannikin. Native to tropical Asia. They are popular as cage birds, which is how introduced populations became established through escapees.

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A new one for me! (Original Post) HAB911 Friday OP
That's a cool looking bird Alpeduez21 Friday #1
Nice! Pretty bird! Diamond_Dog Friday #2
What did you use? Great close up! nt Mark.b2 Friday #3
thank you! HAB911 18 hrs ago #13
Real pretty!! usonian Friday #4
Good for you! MysteriousStranger Friday #5
Beautiful photo. anciano Friday #6
Don't take this as a criticism, but it would be nice to see it facing the other way, so the face was better lit. eppur_se_muova Friday #7
No problem, and I agree HAB911 18 hrs ago #14
NIIIICE photo ! The eye stands out more in this one too. eppur_se_muova 14 hrs ago #18
Interesting looking Sanity Claws Friday #8
Probably sings like a finch. soldierant Friday #12
Beautiful picture! markodochartaigh Friday #9
I'm in North Tampa HAB911 18 hrs ago #15
It's amazing that they are cold hardy enough to live through the winter. markodochartaigh 15 hrs ago #17
Great shot HAB911! Very nice caption space & font. George McGovern Friday #10
thanks george! HAB911 18 hrs ago #16
I used to keep Spice finches Red Mountain Friday #11
We get them in California too. Grumpy Old Guy 13 hrs ago #19
when I first saw him head on, HAB911 12 hrs ago #20

HAB911

(10,121 posts)
13. thank you!
Sat Nov 15, 2025, 06:53 AM
18 hrs ago

This was taken with a Nikon Z8 and Nikkor Z 180-600 + TC 2X for 1200mm. 1/1000 sec @f/18 and ISO 10000. the long lens, f/18 and shooting through double pane glass really suck up the light and in this case the sun was about to set so there are deep dark shadows and almost no ambient light, very harsh.

usonian

(22,449 posts)
4. Real pretty!!
Fri Nov 14, 2025, 07:05 PM
Friday

Thanks for the EXIF. It tells me a lot, and I try to learn from every photo I see.

eppur_se_muova

(40,539 posts)
7. Don't take this as a criticism, but it would be nice to see it facing the other way, so the face was better lit.
Fri Nov 14, 2025, 07:08 PM
Friday

Looks like there might be some interesting details around the beak.

Again, not a criticism, just saying better luck at some point in the future.

HAB911

(10,121 posts)
14. No problem, and I agree
Sat Nov 15, 2025, 07:15 AM
18 hrs ago

but we get the shot we can! My setup is on the east side of my house where I can photograph from a large window. This was late afternoon and the sun was about to set, really the only reason the background is so dark. I got 7 shots before he flew away, all with the same lighting. I really hope it returns perhaps with some friends as it is listed as very social and flocks. I have another setup on the south side of the house, but I have to be outside for that one, hopefully I will get another chance at better light! Here is one of the others shots:

eppur_se_muova

(40,539 posts)
18. NIIIICE photo ! The eye stands out more in this one too.
Sat Nov 15, 2025, 11:00 AM
14 hrs ago

Darn that sun, always makes you wait for it to move into the right position !

markodochartaigh

(4,636 posts)
9. Beautiful picture!
Fri Nov 14, 2025, 07:35 PM
Friday

Did you take the picture in Asia, or is this from a population of escaped cage birds somewhere else?

markodochartaigh

(4,636 posts)
17. It's amazing that they are cold hardy enough to live through the winter.
Sat Nov 15, 2025, 10:18 AM
15 hrs ago

I wish that Gouldian finches were that hardy.

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