Maya (bird)

The term maya refers to a folk taxonomy often used in the Philippines to refer to a variety of small, commonly observed passerine birds, including a number of sparrows, finches and munias.

This group includes Lonchura atricapilla, specifically referred to by the common name "mayang pula" ("red maya"),^[1] which was recognized as the national bird of the Philippines until 1995, when then-President Fidel V. Ramos formally transferred that honorific to the Philippine eagle.^[2]

It also includes the Eurasian tree sparrow, Passer montanus, introduced from Europe and locally referred to as "mayang simbahan" - an invasive species so predominant in urban areas that many urban Filipinos 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 - locally referred to as "mayang pula" ("red maya"), the national bird of the Philippines until 1995.^[1] Formerly considered conspecific with Lonchura malacca, with which it is still often confused. Also sometimes referred to as mayang bungol (deaf maya), or mayang bukid (ricefield maya).
• Lonchura leucogastra - locally referred to as "mayang bato" ("rock maya")^[3]
• Lonchura punctulata - locally referred to "mayang paking (which is another variation of "deaf maya")^[4]
• Padda oryzivora - locally referred to "mayang costa" ("coast maya")^[3][5]
• Passer montanus - the Eurasian tree sparrow, introduced from Europe and locally referred to as "mayang simbahan" ("church maya")^[3]
• Oriolus steerii - the Philippine oriole is also sometimes generically referred to as "maya", and is sometimes even confused for Lonchura atricapilla or Passer montanus due to the imprecise naming

Confusion[]

However, due to the forces of globalization and urbanization, Filipinos are becoming increasingly less familiar with the identity of even species around them. As a result, these categories of maya are becoming less and less well known, and the use of the catch-all name "maya" has result in species being confused for one another, despite readily observable morphological differences.^[1]

In urban areas in particular, where the Eurasian tree sparrow has become predominant as an invasive species, "maya" is often mistakenly thought to be the name of this single species - even if it was not even originally native to the Philippines.^[1]

The Philippine oriole (Oriolus steerii) is also sometimes generically referred to as "maya", and is sometimes even confused for Lonchura atricapilla or Passer montanus due to the imprecise naming

References[]