This Adorable, Colorful Bird Looks Just Like A Flying Strawberry
There are over 50 billion birds in the world, and each one has unique characteristics that set it apart from other groups or species. Some look like cathedral windows with their iridescent plumage, some resemble a bird-version of someone famous, and some birds appear as fuzzy balls of fruit.
There are birds that look like apples, with their orange, red, and yellow hues; some resemble bananas with their funky yellow plumage; and some look like guavas with their stunning green feathers. However, what you are about to see looks just like a cute little strawberry! At first glance, you will be truly amazed by its striking plumage that closely resembles the aforementioned fruit.
Well, meet the Strawberry Finch, also known as the Red Munia or Red Avadavat. They are about the size of a sparrow and belong to the Silverbill or Munia family.
However, you may see them not looking much like a strawberry—but that only means it isn't the breeding season. When males start to look for a mate, their usual dull brown tones transform into a deep, bright red, adorned with white dots that resemble strawberry seeds all over their bodies, along with their black wings.
The Strawberry Finch, also known as the Red Avadavat or Red Munia, is a small bird that transforms its plumage into a beautiful red during the breeding season.
Their numbers are originally spread across India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.
They can also be found in some parts of Southeast Asia and have been introduced in Hawaii, Fiji, and Malaysia.
They measure only three to four inches in length and tend to live in tall grasses near bodies of water. They also inhabit gardens, open meadows, and jungle clearings.
Their strawberry pattern only emerges in males when they are ready to attract a mate. Both male and female birds of this species have dull brown tones when they are not breeding.
When they are ready, the males transform into a deep red appearance all over, with black wings and white dots that give them the 'strawberry' look.
Because of the males' spectacular colors, they have become pets in some parts of the world. However, the birds tend to lose their color when certain environmental conditions are not met.
The females also transform during the breeding season, but it's not as dramatic compared to the males. Instead of turning red, their undersides become an even brighter yellow-orange color.
In winter, their beaks turn black, and they revert to red when the months are warm.
Once the birds pair up, they remain monogamous for the entire breeding season.
To attract a mate, male Strawberry Finches not only display their striking feathers but also hold a piece of grass or feather in their beaks and take a bow while keeping their feathers raised.
The females will then take their turn to display. Once paired, they will separate from their flock and focus solely on their own business.
They will then build their nests in the grass.
After all that, they will typically lay a clutch of five to six eggs.
Nature truly has a lot to offer, and this particular bird is a testament to that! It's quite amazing to see all these patterns, and this strawberry-looking one definitely remains at the top of the list.
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