The White-rumped Munia is a common resident breeding bird in range from tropical southern Asia to southern China and South-east Asia.
It is a tiny gregarious bird which feeds mainly on seeds. It frequents open woodland, grassland and scrub. The nest is a large domed grass structure in a tree, bush or grass into which 3-8 white eggs are laid.
It is approximately 10 to 11cm in length with a long black tail. The adult of the south Indian race has a stubby bill, dark brown upperparts, head, breast and wings, and white underparts and rump. The sexes are similar, but there is racial variation. Northern race has paler brown upperparts and breast, and buff underparts. The rump only is white.