Bronze Mannikin

Afrikaans name: Gewone Fret

Bronze Mannikin

Photo © Steven Herbert

Lonchura cucullata

In some places the Bronze Mannikin is called a Bronze Munia. It is a small finch-like bird weighing around 10 grams. It is about 9 cm in length.

Male and female Bronze Mannikins look alike. Immatures are a more plain buffy brown.

This is a very common species, even in urban areas, and is a familiar sight in gardens over the eastern portion of the country.

The breeding season is normally between September and April although they may start in August in Mpumalanga and Limpopo. The nest of the Bronze Mannikin is a grassy structure that is normally placed in a tree at a height of 1 to 3 metres. Sometimes they nest by themselves and other times in colonies. Up to 8 white eggs are laid with the average being around 5. Both sexes take on incubation and feeding duties.

During the breeding season in summer the Bronze Mannikin is often seen singly or in pairs. Out of the breeding season they tend to be in flocks. They are a very common garden bird in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Gauteng and Limpopo and can be found in large numbers at bird-feeders with small seeds. They also feed on insects, nectar and algae.

Although they are often found in parks and gardens they are also found in open woodland, edges of thickets and farmlands. They have a relaince on water and will gladly drink from, and bathe in, a bird-bath.

Photo © Steven Herbert

Photo © Steven Herbert

Above and below - Bronze Mannikins are quick to find bird feeders in gardens. They prefer the fine 'wild bird' seed. During winter they tend to feed in large flocks while during the summer breeding season they are often seen singly.

Photo © Steven Herbert

Photo © Steven Herbert

Above - Happy family? I don't know if this is a male or female Bronze Mannikin but it does seem to have a handful of kids wanting attention!

Photo © Steven Herbert

Above and below - Bronze and Red-backed Mannikins are similar in looks but there are a number of differences. Sometimes they may feed together and, side by side, it is quite easy to tell them apart. The Bronze Mannikin (above) is a plain brown on the back and doesn't have too much black on the head. It has quite a bit of barring on its white underparts. The Red-backed Mannikin is a more attractive and clean-cut bird. The back is a reddish brown and there is extensive black on the head. The white underparts do not have other markings.

Photo © Steven Herbert

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	823	Spermestes cucullatus scutatus
2nd	823	Lonchura cucullata
3rd	823	Lonchura cucullata
4th	823	Lonchura cucullata
5th	857	Spermestes cucullatus
6th	857	Spermestes cucullatus
7th	888	Spermestes cucullata

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	823	Hooded Finch
2nd	823	Bronze Mannikin
3rd	823	Bronze Mannikin
4th	823	Bronze Mannikin
5th	857	Bronze Mannikin
6th	857	Bronze Mannikin
7th	888	Bronze Mannikin

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	823	Fret
2nd	823	Fret
3rd	823	Fret
4th	823	Fret
5th	857	Gewone Fret
6th	857	Gewone Fret
7th	888	Gewone Fret

References and further reading

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 63

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 186

The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 66

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 398

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 430

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 131

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 203

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 353

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 764

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 763

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 584

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 572

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 430

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 430

Newmans Garden Birds - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1991 - Page: 120

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 444

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 334

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 318

More Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: P. Ginn & G. McIlleron - Published: 1981 - Page: 25

Geoff Lockwoods Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Published: 0 - Page: 143

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 222

Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 144

Common Birds of the North Coast - Author: Bing Comrie - Published: 2005 - Page: 75

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 118

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 269

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 81

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 220

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 117

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 29

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 280

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 312

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 29

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds