Padda | |
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Java sparrow (Padda oryzivora) | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Passeriformes |
Family: | Estrildidae |
Genus: | Padda Reichenbach, 1850 |
Type species | |
Loxia oryzivora Java sparrow Linnaeus, 1758 | |
Species | |
See text. |
Padda is a genus of estrildid finches restricted to islands in southern Indonesia and Timor-Leste.
These are small, plump, gregarious passerine birds. They frequent open grassland and cultivation and feed mainly on grain and other seeds, including rice.
Both species have white-cheeked black heads and thick bills. The sexes are similar, but immature birds have brown upperparts and paler brown underparts and cheeks. The call of both species is a chip, and the song is a raid series of call notes chipchipchipchipchipchip.
The genus Padda was introduced in 1850 by the German naturalist Ludwig Reichenbach for the Java sparrow. [1] [2] The word "Padda" was used as an English name for the Java sparrow by George Edwards in 1743 and may come from the Malay word padi meaning "rice". [3] [4]
The species are: [5]
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
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Java sparrow | Padda oryzivora (Linnaeus, 1758) | Java | Size: Habitat: Diet: | EN |
Timor sparrow | Padda fuscata (Vieillot, 1807) | Timor | Size: Habitat: Diet: | NT |
Java sparrow is a popular cagebird, and has been introduced in a large number of other countries. Both Padda species are threatened by trapping for the cage bird trade. Many taxonomists now place this genus in Lonchura with the mannikins and munias.