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HAB911

(10,153 posts)
Fri Nov 14, 2025, 06:55 PM Nov 14

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 Nov 14 OP
That's a cool looking bird Alpeduez21 Nov 14 #1
Nice! Pretty bird! Diamond_Dog Nov 14 #2
What did you use? Great close up! nt Mark.b2 Nov 14 #3
thank you! HAB911 Nov 15 #13
Real pretty!! usonian Nov 14 #4
Good for you! MysteriousStranger Nov 14 #5
Beautiful photo. anciano Nov 14 #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 Nov 14 #7
No problem, and I agree HAB911 Nov 15 #14
NIIIICE photo ! The eye stands out more in this one too. eppur_se_muova Nov 15 #18
Interesting looking Sanity Claws Nov 14 #8
Probably sings like a finch. soldierant Nov 14 #12
Beautiful picture! markodochartaigh Nov 14 #9
I'm in North Tampa HAB911 Nov 15 #15
It's amazing that they are cold hardy enough to live through the winter. markodochartaigh Nov 15 #17
Great shot HAB911! Very nice caption space & font. George McGovern Nov 14 #10
thanks george! HAB911 Nov 15 #16
I used to keep Spice finches Red Mountain Nov 14 #11
We get them in California too. Grumpy Old Guy Nov 15 #19
when I first saw him head on, HAB911 Nov 15 #20

HAB911

(10,153 posts)
13. thank you!
Sat Nov 15, 2025, 06:53 AM
Nov 15

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

(22,663 posts)
4. Real pretty!!
Fri Nov 14, 2025, 07:05 PM
Nov 14

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

eppur_se_muova

(40,575 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
Nov 14

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

(10,153 posts)
14. No problem, and I agree
Sat Nov 15, 2025, 07:15 AM
Nov 15

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

(40,575 posts)
18. NIIIICE photo ! The eye stands out more in this one too.
Sat Nov 15, 2025, 11:00 AM
Nov 15

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

markodochartaigh

(4,689 posts)
9. Beautiful picture!
Fri Nov 14, 2025, 07:35 PM
Nov 14

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

markodochartaigh

(4,689 posts)
17. It's amazing that they are cold hardy enough to live through the winter.
Sat Nov 15, 2025, 10:18 AM
Nov 15

I wish that Gouldian finches were that hardy.

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