Scaly-breasted Munia at Kit Carson Park

Scaly-breasted Munias continue to increase in San Diego County. I'm finding them more frequently in more places while birding. I recently found some at Lake Ramona north of Poway at about 950 feet elevation. This is about as far inland and as high in elevation as these lowlands birds occur.

Of course, I'm also learning to identify them more readily. They are as small as goldfinches, but with big heads and appear nearly tailless in flight. Their high-pitched "peep" calls are similar to chicks in the hen house. There's even a cartoon featuring these birds (well, maybe not, but hilarious all the same)!

They love seedy grass tufts, especially ornamental pampas grass in creek bottoms and wetlands.

Scaly-breasted Munia. Escondido, California. August 10, 2018.

Juvenile Scaly-breasted Munia.