No matter how many stunning birds you believe you have witnessed, there is always another one waiting to astonish you, stealing your breath away.
The red avadavat, scientifically known as Amandava amandava, is a petite bird resembling a sparrow, belonging to the Estrildidae family. It possesses distinctive characteristics, notably its vibrant scarlet plumage adorned with delicate white dots. This tiny finch can be easily identified by its rounded black tail and a bill that changes color to red during specific seasons. The rump of the avadavat is also adorned with red plumage, while the breeding male displays red hues on most of its upper body, excluding a black eye-stripe, lower belly, and wings. Furthermore, the red body and wing feathers are embellished with white spots. Their eye-catching appearance during the breeding season, particularly the colorful plumage of the males, has made them highly sought after as cage birds.
Within this waxbill species, the young males exhibit a less vibrant coloration, whereas the female counterpart displays a brown-gray hue on her upper body, transitioning to a yellow-gray shade from her underbelly to undertail.
The native distribution of these birds spans from the Indus valley in Pakistan to the flatlands of the Brahmaputra, reaching southwards to the Indian peninsula.
These birds primarily dwell in the expansive lowlands, frequently observed in areas abundant with towering grasses or cultivated fields, often in close proximity to water sources. Additionally, they have been introduced and established in various regions such as southern Spain, Brunei, Fiji, Egypt, Malaysia, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Singapore, and Hawaii. Within their native environment, they engage in breeding activities during the monsoon season.
Their primary diet consists of grass seeds, although they are also opportunistic and will consume insects like termites whenever they are accessible.
During the onset of the breeding season, the male birds undergo a remarkable transformation, as their plumage transitions into a striking shade of deep red. However, in cases where the environmental conditions are unfavorable, the male’s plumage can turn black instead. These birds construct rounded nests using grass blades, forming a globular structure. Typically, their nests contain a typical clutch of about 5 to 6 eggs, which are white in color.
For optimal conditions, these avian species thrive in spacious planted aviaries that house a mix of different bird species. If your intention is to encourage breeding, separating them into pairs within large flight enclosures is recommended. While some individuals claim successful breeding in breeding cages, we prefer providing them with single pair planted flight cages. During the winter months, supplementary heat may be necessary, making large indoor aviaries the ideal choice. However, in the summer season, they flourish and display their most vibrant colors in outdoor aviaries. It’s worth noting that this particular waxbill species stands out as the only one capable of producing a true song. The melodic tune resembles the gentle chime of silver bells, somewhat resembling that of a Weaver bird, albeit with a more monotonous quality. It’s important to note that only the male birds exhibit this singing behavior.
