Scientific name: Amandava amandava (Linnaeus, 1758)
Bird group: Finches and Crossbills
Field characters. 9.5 cm. Very small finch. Male in breeding plumage carmine-red with brown wings and black tail; white spots on wings and underparts. Female and male in winter plumage have olive-brown head and upperparts and pale buff underparts, but share characteristic red bill and rump.
Voice. Song rather brief descending sequence of high notes. Flight-call short and week high-pitched "teet-teet".
Distribution. Introduced in Portugal, SW Spain, and NE Italy. Originates from SE Asia.
Habitat. Tall grass, reedbeds, wetlands and cultivations.
Food. Grass seeds and small insects.