Strawberry Finches' Vibrant Red Plumage Charms Nature Lovers

May 27, 2020 by apost team

Many may not have ever seen the strawberry finch in real life, but the bird is impressively bright even in photos. The strawberry finch, also known as the red avadavat or red munia is just about the size of a sparrow. While it's size is small, it's vivid red feathers leave a big colorful impression out in the open fields and grasslands in tropical Asia. 

The strawberry finch (Amandava amandava) is a part of the Estrildidae bird family. The family includes other birds such as munias, mannikins, firefinches, parrotfinches, and waxbills. While it's native habitat is in tropical Asia, the bird is also popular as a pet.

This species of bird is also the only waxbill bird that has a true birdsong. Their song has been likened to a melody of small silver bells. It is similar to that of a weaver bird, but more monotonous. Like many other birds, male strawberry finches are the only ones that sing. 

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Strawberry finches can be both aviary or cage bred. The male bird collects the nesting material while the female takes what's been gathered and uses it to build the nest. The number of eggs produced, known as the clutch, ranges around five to seven eggs for the strawberry finch. 

After incubating the eggs for 12-14 days, they will hatch and the young finches will develop their feather and wing muscles for flight at about three weeks old. This process is known as fledging, hence why young birds are called fledglings. 

In the wild, strawberry finches fly in small flocks and spend time in clumping grasses in order to avoid predators. Wild strawberry finches can be found all throughout Asia in countries such as Pakistan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Java, Thailand, Indonesia, China, and parts of Vietnam.

They get a doubled Latin name, Amandava amandava, because they originated from the city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat, India. In former times, the birds were exported from this Indian city for the pet trade. 

What do you think about the strawberry finch? Let us know your thoughts and be sure to pass this on to bird lovers so they can see the bird's bright strawberry color!