Riyadh Zoo

General Information:

Common Name:Java Rice Bird
Scientific Name:Lonchura oryzivora
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order:Passeriformes
Family:Estrildidae

Description

The Java sparrow (Padda oryzivora), also known as Java finch, Java rice sparrow or Java rice bird, is a small passerine bird. Some taxonomists place this and the Timor sparrow in their own genus Padda. The Java sparrow is about 15 to 17 cm (5.9 to 6.7 in) in length from the beak to its tip of tail feathers. Although only about the size of a house sparrow, it may be the largest species in the estrildid family. The mean body mass is 24.5 g (0.86 oz), making it slightly heavier than its nearest known rival, the black-bellied seedeater. The adult is unmistakable, with its grey upperparts and breast, pink belly, white-cheeked black head, red eye-ring, pink feet, and thick red bill.

Distribution

Java rice bird found in Asia, Indonesia Puerto Rico, Mexico, United States, Christmas Island, Fiji, Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka

Habitat

The Java sparrow is a very gregarious bird which feeds mainly on grain and other seeds. It frequents open grassland and cultivation, and was formerly a pest in rice fields, hence its scientific name. The nest is constructed in a tree or building, and up to eight eggs are laid.

Mating Habits

Because the pair bond is not very strong, birds bred in a single-pair-per-enclosure set up can be separated and each given a new partner (or a widowed bird provided with a new mate) if needed. If necessary, eggs or chicks can be fostered under another pair of Java Finches. Clutch size 4-6 sometimes up to 8 eggs, 14 days of incubation, fledge 21-30 days of age, maturity 50 days of age.

Diet

Its basic diet should include a parakeet mix comprising oat groats, plain canary seeds, and white millets. Give adequate amounts of grit, crushed eggshells, green food, and mealworms, especially during its breeding season.

Threats

1. The Java sparrow is considered by some countries to be an agricultural pest with respect to rice cultivation.
2. An ongoing loss of natural habitat, hunting in some areas and trapping (as a pest) in others has led to much smaller numbers in the wild and sightings in its natural range have become increasingly uncommon.
3. The Java sparrow is now evaluated as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species with less than 10,000 individuals remaining.

IUCN Status

Endangered