The Red Avadavat (Amandava amandava), red munia or strawberry finch, is a sparrow-sized bird of the family Estrildidae. It is found in the open fields and grasslands of tropical Asia and is popular as a cage bird due to the colourful plumage of the males in the breeding season. It breeds in the Indian Subcontinent in the monsoon season. The species name of Amandava and the common name of Avadavat are derived from the city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat, India, from where these birds were exported into the pet trade in former times.
This small finch is easily identified by the rounded black tail and the bill that is seasonally red. The rump is red, and the breeding male is red on most of the upper parts except for a black eyestripe, lower belly and wings. There are white spots on the red body and wing feathers. The non-breeding male is duller but has the red rump while the female is duller with less of the white spotting on the feathers.
These birds are found mainly on flat plains, in places with tall grasses or crops, often near water. The species has four named subspecies. The nominate subspecies is called Amandava and is found in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan; the Burmese form is called Flavidiventris (also found in parts of China, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam), and the population further east in Java is called Punicea and in Cambodia is called Decouxi.
Nest Building: They spend more time building nests than they do eating. Since their nests are under the grass, they are protected from other animals. They are very aggressive.
It takes them approximately two months to prepare a nest. Mostly, male birds take the lead in building it. The female birds follow them like a guard. In the first stage of nest building, the male birds bring small, fibre-like materials. Birds do not pluck the materials. In the second stage, larger materials will be collected. Subsequently, they will start collecting white flowers found in the meadows.
It is a beautiful sight to see it peck at things and fly away through the sky. As it is very small and fast, one would watch for a moment with curiosity, wondering what is flying away.
During the final stages of nest-building, they collect feathers from other birds. They face many challenges and rarely rest. They dedicate a major part of their lives to building their nests, collecting various materials from a considerable distance away. Moreover, rain, wind, and heat all pose hardships for them.
In a sun-drenched thicket, a pair of Red Avadavats were busy building their nest. The male bird collected twigs and grasses, weaving them into a delicate cup-shaped structure. His partner watched with approval, adding her own touches to the intricate design.
As they worked, their songs filled the air, a duet of joy and anticipation. The nest began to take shape, a cozy haven for their future family. With each carefully placed twig, the Red Avadavats’ bond grew stronger, their love nest a testament to their devotion.
The finished nest was a masterpiece, camouflaged among the leaves and branches. The birds settled in, their bright plumage a vibrant splash against the green backdrop, ready to welcome their new family.
