Birdsong field guide
Green Avadavat
Amandava formosa
A small, olive-green estrildid finch endemic to India, easily identified by its striking black-and-white barred flanks and bright red bill.
What it sounds like
A high-pitched, twittering song ending in a long-drawn whistle; flight calls are a sharp, repetitive 'cheops'.
Reference call, compare with what you heard
No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto
Field notes
- It is the only member of the genus Amandava to exhibit predominantly green plumage and bold vertical flank stripes.
- The species is currently categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss and the illegal cage bird trade.
- During courtship, the male performs a ritualized dance while holding a blade of grass or a feather in its beak.
- Nests are large, globular structures woven from broad grass blades and lined with fine materials, often placed in thorny bushes.
- While primarily granivorous, they supplement their diet with small insects, particularly during the breeding season to provide protein for chicks.
Habitat
Tall grasslands, dry deciduous scrub, and agricultural areas, usually near water sources.
Range
Endemic to the Indian subcontinent, primarily found in central and parts of western and southern India.
Similar & commonly confused birds
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