Java Sparrow
Conservation status
Vulnerable (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Estrildidae
Genus:	Padda
Species:	P. oryzivora
Binomial name
Padda oryzivora Linnaeus, 1758

The Java Sparrow, Padda oryzivora also known as Java Finch or Java Rice Bird is a small passerine bird. This estrildid finch is a resident breeding bird in Java, Bali and Bawean in Indonesia. It is a popular cagebird, and has been introduced in a large number of other countries.

Contents 1 Habitat 2 Characteristics 3 Threats 4 References 5 Introductions 6 External links

[edit] 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.

[edit] Characteristics

The Java Sparrow is 17 cm in length. 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.

Both sexes are similar, but immature birds have brown upperparts and paler brown underparts and cheeks. The rest of their head is dark grey rather than black, and the bill is grey with a pink base.

The call is a chip, and the song is a rapid series of call notes chipchipchipchipchipchip.

[edit] Threats

The Java sparrow is considered to be a serious agricultural pest of rice. Due to ongoing habitat loss and hunting in some areas, the Java Sparrow is now uncommon in its native range. It is evaluated as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and is listed on Appendix II of CITES.

[edit] References

• BirdLife International (2004). Padda oryzivora. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is vulnerable
• Finches and Sparrows by Clement, Harris and Davis, ISBN 0-7136-8017-2

[edit] Introductions

The java sparrow was introduced in the Indian subcontinent. it failed to become a successful resident on the Indian mainland although it has established a breeding population around colombo in Sri Lanka.

[edit] External links

• BirdLife Species Factsheet
• IUCN Red List

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