Java Sparrow

Java Sparrow (Lonchura oryzivora) is a large estrildid finch with a grey body, black head, white cheeks, pink bill and a contrasting dark tail. Body shape, bill structure, plumage pattern and voice provide the strongest field characters. Age, sex and season may alter its appearance, so identification should combine several features and careful direct field comparisons with similar species in the same habitat (Wikipedia, general species account).

It is native to Java, Bali and Bawean, feeds socially on grass and cereal seeds and nests in cavities or dense vegetation; cage birds have founded introduced populations in many countries. Its movements and social behaviour vary through the year, with breeding birds generally more dispersed and non-breeding birds gathering where food is concentrated. Japanese records place it within the country's documented avifauna as a resident, migrant or visitor (Wikipedia, general species account; Wildlife of Japan occurrence records).