**Mottled munia (Lonchura hunsteini)**

A colorful munia endemic to New Ireland in the Bismarck Archipelago, which has successfully established an introduced population on Pohnpei Island in Micronesia.

Context

A large flock was photographed on a daily basis, feeding on grass seeds in overgrown grassland areas near the airport runway.

Field notes

The mottled munia is locally very common on Pohnpei. Small flocks can often be seen feeding on grass seeds along roadsides, around cultivated areas, and in open habitats throughout the island. However, the only place where I managed to obtain satisfactory photographs of the species was near the airport runway.

Unlike many of Pohnpei’s endemic forest birds, this species thrives in human-modified and open environments. It appears to be particularly common in cultivated areas.

The history of its introduction to Pohnpei is not fully understood, but it is believed to have arrived around the Second World War, possibly through military activities and transport between Pacific islands. Introductions of non-native species elsewhere in the Pacific, particularly on Guam, have sometimes had devastating consequences for native wildlife.

Key facts

The mottled munia remains a poorly documented species in its native range. It is endemic to New Ireland, part of the Bismarck Archipelago east of New Guinea. Much of the available documentation and many high-quality photographs of the species come from the introduced population on Pohnpei.

Like other munias, it feeds primarily on grass seeds and small grains, often gathering in flocks that may contain dozens of individuals.

Its breeding habits and behavior remain poorly documented, although they are thought to resemble those of closely related and better-known species of Lonchura.

Conservation

The species is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It is believed to be locally common, although comprehensive studies of its population trends remain limited.

The mottled munia remains poorly known within its native range, and much of the available information comes from observations of the introduced population on Pohnpei.

At present, the species is not believed to face any major threats. It appears capable of adapting successfully to environmental changes and is regularly observed near human settlements on both Pohnpei and New Ireland. Potential local threats include pesticide use and the clearance of grassland habitats.