The Chestnut-breasted Mannikin is a thick-set brown finch with a grey-brown crown, dark brown face and a grey bill. It receives it name from the chestnut colouring to its breast.
The bird is found in reed beds, long grasses, swamps, mangroves as well as gardens and parks where it feeds on grass seeds or termites at the beginning of breeding season. It is a very social bird and is often seen in large flocks – they take a particular liking to the bird seed in pet bird’s cages!!
