Several months ago, while walking along the edge of the rice fields near the village, I found a group of small birds that seemed busy looking for food among the rice stalks that were starting to turn yellow. I immediately took the camera and photographed one of them who was perched quite close.
From its small body shape, thick beak, and predominantly brown feather color with slight gradations, I identified this bird as part of the Lonchura genus. This genus includes various types of sparrows that are commonly found in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia. Several species that are often seen on agricultural land or the edges of rice fields include Lonchura leucogastroides (Peking bondol) and Lonchura punctulata (Javanese bondol).
These birds usually live in groups and actively search for grain, especially from rice plants, grass or weeds around agricultural land. They play an important role in the rice field ecosystem, both as seed eaters and as prey for natural predators such as small eagles or snakes.
NOTE: I first wrote the article above in Indonesian, which is my own language, then I translated it using English with the help of Goggle.
| Latin Name | Observation date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Genus Lonchura | 20 04 2024 | North Acèh Regency, Acèh, Indonesia |
| Camera used | Smartphone |
|---|---|
| Lens | Macro |
| F-stop | - |
| Iso speed | ISO |
| Focal length | MM |
| Photography | Genus Lonchura |
| Location | Aceh Indonesia |
| Photographer |  |
| Link to original | community | |
|---|---|---|
| Link | https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/277671696 | |
| Latitude Longitude | Map | |
| - | - | |
| =4.9786331 | =97.2221421 | https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=4.9786331&mlon=97.2221421#map=12/4.9786/97.2221 |