Nutmeg Mannikins

This past Tuesday I looked out the bedroom window to see a small flock of six or seven birds feeding in the lawn. I had never seen this bird before, so I grabbed my small camera and got a few shots through the glass.

 They were about the size of House Finches.

It turns out, after consulting my Sibley's, they are exotic finches from Asia.  They were, and are, sold as pets, and escapees in Southern California have established small populations.  It is thought that because they are so social, and stay in tight flocks, they are able to establish these populations rather than just disappear as loners. They are also called Spice Finch, Spotted Munia, and Scaly-breasted Munia. Whatever, they are beautiful birds!