Description
The Scaly-breasted Munia is 11–12 cm long and 12-16 g heavy. The adult has a stubby dark bill, brown upperparts and a dark brown head. The underparts are white with black scale markings. The sexes are similar, although males have darker markings on the underside and a darker throat than females. Immature birds have pale brown upperparts, lack the dark head found in adults, and have uniform buff underparts that can be confused with immatures of other munias such as the Tricoloured Munia.
Populations within their wide distribution range show variations in plumage colour and size, and about 11 subspecies are recognized. These include the nominate form found in the plains of South Asia, including Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The name lineoventer was formerly used for the Indian population. Other populations include subundulata from the eastern Himalayas, yunnanensis of southern China, topela of Thailand, cabanisi of the Philippines and fretensis of Singapor and Sumatra. Island populations include nisoria (Java, Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa), particeps (Sulawesi), baweana (Bawean Island), sumbae (Sumba) and blasii (Flores, Timor and Tanimbar).
Along with other Estrildines, these species are thought to have originated in Asia.
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