MANNIKIN (Ploceidae lonchura)
The family of mannikins comprises birds of many descriptions ranging from Africa to Australia via India, Ceylon, Burma, and the Philippines with some representatives in between most of these places.
There is a great extent of diversification in generic characteristics, but, generally speaking, mannikins have short, thick beaks and heavier bodies than most waxbills. Most are very hardy and easy to maintain in captivity. As a rule mannikins are not as brightly colored as most popular finches in aviculture, but they still include some of the most inexpensive and the most numerous finches which are great favorites with bird fanciers.
Mannikins belong in the family Ploceidae. Generic names have undergone many changes and more changes are in store for the future. Unfortunately, some of the changes are slow to gain acceptance, and some may be held in dispute for some time to come. Most are at least confusing to aviculturists, but the trend is towards simplification in scientific nomenclature.
Some of the generic changes are as follows: Urolonchura has been changed to Lonchura; many Munias have been changed to Lonchura; Spermesles and Euodice have probably been changed to Lonchura though some authorities are still clinging to the old names.