Last updated: 24 Feb 2026

More specifically in Nice, above, and in Monaco, first image below, at the UNESCO Garden just above the Port de Fontvieille and in the shadow of La Rocher, the old town and home to the Principality’s Palace. This was one of a pair that was rummaging through the grass, not especially bothered by my presence, only about two-and-a-half meters away.

As the name suggests, it’s home on the Indian subcontinent, but has been naturalized in various pockets around the world – including in southern France by the late 1980s.

From ‘The Indian Silverbill Euodice malabarica: a new exotic breeding species for the Italian avifauna?’ in Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia – Research in Ornithology, 95 (1): 66-69, 2025:

The only naturalized population in Europe is in southern France, where it was first recorded in Nice in 1988 when around 20 individuals were observed at the Jardin Botanique de la Corniche Fleurie (Dubois, 2007). The species’ presence in Nice increased to 20-30 breeding pairs in the 1990s, and it subsequently spread through the Var Valley (Lever, 2005; Dubois, 2007; Keller et al., 2020). In the 2000s, the presence of the Indian Silverbill was known from Antibes and Biot to the west, to Lucerame in the north, about 25 km away from Nice. By that time, the total size of the population was estimated at a few hundred individuals (Pascal, 2003; Dubois, 2007), and in 2020, it was estimated to be about 1000 individuals (Keller et al., 2020). The impact of the Indian Silverbill on the natural ecosystem of southern France is not documented (Pascal, 2003). (Emphasis mine. – BR)

Mention of Indian Silverbills in and around Nice has appeared on bird forums and bulletin boards for more than 20 years. Here’s a thread on BirdForum.

After my first encounter at the UNESCO Garden in Monaco, I’ve seen and heard them in at least two parks in Nice over the past few weeks. I finally snapped these few shots below while waiting on a train at the Nice-Riquier station this morning. I counted eight just to the outside of the station’s northern fence where some were hovering around a feeder located on the station grounds and a few others resting on two trees.

The Rivista Italiana Ornitologia story linked to above documents their eastward progression up the Mediterranean coast into Liguria where the Indian Silverbill in Italy was first encountered in 2022.

A few more recent snaps below.

Sighting Updates

• 27 Nov 2025: 8-10 on the Promenade des Anglais in trees by the left entrance to Jardin Albert 1er. My first sighting in this park. (It’s presently closed due to preparations for the Noel Market.)
• 23 Feb 2026: 4-6 in the Place Alziari de Malaussena between Allee Edith Piaf and Rue de la Buffa.

Indian Silverbill in brief (with assist from WordPress AI):

• Size: Approximately 11-13 cm (4.3-5.1 in) in length.
• Diet: Primarily seeds, supplemented with grains and insects.
• Habitat: Prefers open grasslands, scrublands, and agricultural fields.
• Physical Description: Small, stout finch with a grayish-brown body, distinctive white belly, and a conical bill.
• Breeding: Breeds in colonies; nests are typically made in dense shrubs or grasses, laying 3-5 eggs.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern; currently stable population with no major threats.
• Unique Behaviors: Known for their sociable nature and often seen foraging in groups; performs short, fluttering flight.
• Range and Migration: Native to the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia, naturalised populations are known in several parts of the world including Europe, specifically France; some populations are partially migratory, seeking out suitable food sources.

Links for further reference:

• Indian Silverbill at Birds of the World
• Indian Silverbill at BirdLife DataZone
• Indian Silverbill at eBird
• Indian Silverbill at Avibase
• Indian Silverbill at Wikipedia
• Indian Silverbill at iNaturalist

Research and academic articles:

• The Indian Silverbill Euodice malabarica: a new exotic breeding species for the Italian avifauna?, Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia – Research in Ornithology, 95 (1): 66-69, 2025

Photos from 24 October 2025 (Monaco) and 3 November 2025 (Nice). Post last updated on 23 February 2026.