padda

Padda is a genus name historically used for a group of small, seed-eating passerine birds in the family Estrildidae. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, taxonomic revisions based on morphology and genetic data led to reclassifications within this group, and many species that were once placed in Padda were moved to the genus Lonchura. As a result, Padda is now often treated as an old or obsolete genus in current classifications, with only limited use in older literature.

Distribution and habitat information for birds formerly assigned to Padda covers parts of Asia, including South and Southeast Asia, with some species extending into adjacent regions. These birds typically inhabit grasslands, savannas, agricultural areas, and scrublands. They are ground foragers that feed mainly on seeds, with some insects seasonally available.

Description and behavior hinge on their small, conical-billed, seed-eating morphology. Plumage among the former Padda species varies widely, but many are brown, gray, or patterned, and sexes are often similar in appearance. They are generally social birds, forming flocks outside the breeding season. Reproduction involves cup-shaped nests placed in shrubs or trees, with clutch sizes commonly ranging from three to six eggs.

In captivity, several species previously placed in Padda have long been kept as cage birds, prized for hardiness and melodic vocalizations. The Java sparrow, once listed as Padda oryzivora in some classifications, is now commonly referred to as Lonchura oryzivora in current taxonomy.

Conservation status varies by species, with habitat loss and trapping affecting some populations in the wild, while others remain widespread and common.