# Maya (bird)

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The term **maya** refers to a [folk taxonomy](/source/Folk_taxonomy) often used in the [Philippines](/source/Philippines) to refer to a variety of small, commonly observed [passerine](/source/Passerine) birds, including a number of [sparrows](/source/Old_World_sparrow), [finches](/source/Finches) and [munias](/source/Munias).

This group includes *[Lonchura atricapilla](/source/Lonchura_atricapilla)*, specifically referred to by the common name **mayang pulá** ("red *maya*"),[1] which was recognized as the [national bird](/source/National_bird) of the Philippines until 1995, when then-[President](/source/President_of_the_Philippines) [Fidel V. Ramos](/source/Fidel_V._Ramos) formally transferred the honorific to the [Philippine eagle](/source/Philippine_eagle).[2]

It also includes the Eurasian tree sparrow, *[Passer montanus](/source/Passer_montanus)*, introduced from Europe and locally referred to as **mayang simbahan** ("church *maya*")– an invasive species predominant in urban areas, leading urban Filipinos to mistakenly think it is the only species referred to as "*maya*."[1]

## Species

Some of the species counted under the category of "maya" include:

- *[Lonchura atricapilla](/source/Lonchura_atricapilla)* – locally referred to as *mayang pula* ("red maya") in [Filipino](/source/Filipino_language), national bird of the Philippines until 1995.[1] Formerly considered [conspecific](/source/Conspecific) with *[Lonchura malacca](/source/Lonchura_malacca)*, with which it is still often confused. Also sometimes referred to as *mayang bungol* (deaf maya), or *mayang bukid* (ricefield maya).
- [Erythrura viridifacies](/source/Erythrura_viridifacies) and [Erythrura hyperythra](/source/Erythrura_hyperythra) – locally referred to as *mayang kawayan* ("bamboo maya") due to their frequent association with flowering bamboos.[3][4]
- *[Lonchura leucogastra](/source/Lonchura_leucogastra)* – locally referred to as *mayang bato* ("rock maya") in Filipino.[5]
- *[Lonchura punctulata](/source/Lonchura_punctulata)* – locally referred to as *mayang paking* (another variation of "deaf maya").[6]
- *[Padda oryzivora](/source/Padda_oryzivora)* – locally referred to *mayang costa* ("coast maya").[5][7]
- *[Passer montanus](/source/Passer_montanus)* – the Eurasian tree sparrow, introduced from Europe and locally referred to as *mayang simbahan* ("church maya") in Filipino.[5]
- *[Oriolus steerii](/source/Oriolus_steerii)* – the Philippine oriole is also sometimes generically referred to as "maya", and is sometimes confused for *[Lonchura atricapilla](/source/Lonchura_atricapilla)* or *[Passer montanus](/source/Passer_montanus)* due to naming.

### Naming and confusion

Due to forces of globalization and urbanization, [Filipinos](/source/Filipinos) have become less familiar with the identity of bird species in their area over time. As a result, the use of the catch-all name "maya" for multiple species has resulted in them occasionally being confused for one another, despite readily observable morphological differences.[1]

Particularly in urban areas, where the [Eurasian tree sparrow](/source/Eurasian_tree_sparrow) has become predominant as an invasive species, "maya" is often mistakenly thought to be the name of this single species, in spite of it not being originally native to the Philippines.[1]

## References

1. ["10 Most Common Urban Birds"](https://ebonph.wordpress.com/2013/07/03/10-most-common-urban-birds/). 2 July 2013. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210712125503/https://ebonph.wordpress.com/2013/07/03/10-most-common-urban-birds/) 12 July 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 14 October 2021.

1. Baños, Mike (11 May 2013). ["The Maya should be the Philippine's National Bird"](http://www.businessweekmindanao.com/2013/05/11/the-maya-should-be-the-philippines-national-bird/). *BusinessWeek Mindanao*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170518235936/http://www.businessweekmindanao.com/2013/05/11/the-maya-should-be-the-philippines-national-bird/) 18 May 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 7 May 2018.

1. Kennedy, Robert (2000-09-21). [*A Guide to the Birds of the Philippines*](https://books.google.com/books?id=fPDxk551AhkC&dq=mayang-kawayan&pg=PA340). OUP Oxford. ISBN 978-0-19-854668-9.

1. Pascua, Alain (May 29, 2024). ["The Mystery of the Green-faced Parrotfinches"](https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/lifestyle/green-faced-parrotfinches-a7952-20240529-lfrm). *Esquiremag.ph*. Retrieved 2025-09-03.

1. ["Towards integrated commodity ... – Section 7-Biology and control of other storage pests (cont.)"](https://www.fao.org/3/x5048e/x5048e0g.htm). *www.fao.org*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200225193328/http://www.fao.org/3/x5048E/x5048E0g.htm) 25 February 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 14 October 2021.

1. ["Scaly-Breasted Munia (Mayang Paking) - Species - philbiodiversitypartnerships.com"](https://archive.today/20131024204901/http://philbiodiversitypartnerships.com/index.php/reports/progress-reports/financial-progress-reports/article/1137-scaly-breasted-munia-mayang-paking). *philbiodiversitypartnerships.com*. Archived from [the original](http://philbiodiversitypartnerships.com/index.php/reports/progress-reports/financial-progress-reports/article/1137-scaly-breasted-munia-mayang-paking) on 24 October 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2022.

1. ["International Rice Research Institute"](http://www.irri.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=11686:plight-of-the-rice-birds&lang=en). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20131010133555/http://irri.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=11686:plight-of-the-rice-birds&lang=en) 10 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 8 May 2014.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Maya (bird)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_(bird)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_(bird)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.