Red Fody

Description:

The red fody (Foudia madagascariensis), sometimes known as the red cardinal fody or common fody, is a small bird native to Madagascar. The red fody is about 5 inches in length and weighs 14–19 grams. The male of the species is bright red with black markings around each eye. Its wings and tail are olive-brown. The female fody's upper body is olive-brown and its underbody is greyish-brown. It is a common bird found in forest clearings, grasslands and cultivated areas. In Madagascar it is regarded as a pest to rice cultivation. It has been introduced to other areas of the Indian Ocean, included the Amirantes, Comoros, Seychelles, Mauritius and Réunion.