First record of Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Aves: Passeriformes: Estrildidae) from Kashmir, India

Scaly-breasted Munia or Spotted Munia Lonchura punctulata, is a small finch-like bird with a conical bill from the family Estrildidae, commonly known as the waxbills, grass finches, or munias. The current literature reports Scaly-breasted Munia only in Jammu province of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, which is an ecologically different landscape from Kashmir. Here we present the first photographic proof of Scaly-breasted Munia at different sites in the Kashmir region of India. During an assessment of north Kashmir’s avian diversity, the Scaly-breasted Munia was sighted at several locations in the area. The bird was identified based on its plumage colour pattern and dark bill.