General

Red Avadavat: Bright red during breeding season, wings are brown, and tail is black. White spots cover body. Black lores, white crescent below each eye, red bill. Out of season, male is similar to female, brown upperparts, dark wings, red rump and yellow-buff underparts. Some white spots scattered overall. As female enters breeding season, chest may show some yellow-orange, tail feathers may show more black. Juveniles have a black beak that turns red as they age, gray-brown above, buff-white below. Wings have two pale wingbars.

Range and Habitat

Red Avadavat: Common in marshy areas and fallow fields on Oahu, Kauai, Hawaii, and Maui. A popular caged bird that escaped as early as the 1900's. Prefers marshy areas and fields.

Breeding and Nesting

Red Avadavat: Four to seven white eggs are laid in a spherical nest constructed of grasses; coconut fibers and feathers may be used for lining. Both parents incubates eggs for 11-14 days, chicks fledge at 20 days.

Foraging and Feeding

Red Avadavat: Forages on the ground for grass seeds in open marshy fields or fallow fields.

Vocalization

Red Avadavat: Song is twittering and flute-like. Call is a soft "jeet".

Similar Species

Not likely to be confused with any other species in its range.