The Fiji Parrotfinch is a species of estrildid finch endemic to Fiji
that was formerly considered to be a subspecies of the Red-headed
Parrotfinch. This parrotfinch is a small, mainly green bird with a red
head and tail and a stubby dark grey bill. It is found in both forested
and open habitats, and has adapted well to man-made environments such as
grasslands, pasture and gardens. Pairs have a courtship display in which
they fly above the trees in an undulating flight, calling constantly.
Breeding birds build a domed grass nest with a side entrance, and lay a
clutch normally of four white eggs. The Fiji Parrotfinch eats seeds,
especially of grasses, but also readily feeds on insects and nectar. It
forms small flocks of up to six individuals after the breeding season.
Parrotfinches may be predated by indigenous birds of prey such as the
endemic Fiji Goshawk, or by introduced mammals like the small Asian
mongoose, rats and mice, and they may be susceptible to disease.
Nevertheless, the Fiji species, despite being both uncommon and endemic
to one island group, appears to be stable in numbers. It is classified
as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, and it is protected under Fijian
law.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiji_Parrotfinch>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
47 BC:
Caesarion (bust pictured), possibly the son of Julius Caesar,
became the last king of the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt, ruling jointly
with his mother Cleopatra.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caesarion>
1649:
Forces loyal to Pope Innocent X destroyed the ancient Italian
city of Castro, ending the Wars of Castro.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wars_of_Castro>
1807:
The British Royal Navy began their bombardment of Copenhagen to
capture the Dano-Norwegian navy.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Copenhagen_(1807)>
1945:
On the deck of the United States Navy battleship Missouri in
Tokyo Bay, representatives from the Empire of Japan and several Allied
Powers signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, formally ending
World War II.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Instrument_of_Surrender>
1998:
Swissair Flight 111, en route from New York City to Geneva,
crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, killing all 229 people on board.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swissair_Flight_111>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
punctilio:
A fine point in exactness of conduct, ceremony or procedure. Strictness
in observance of formalities.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/punctilio>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
I care nothing for creeds. I am not concerned with any one's
religious belief. But I would have men think for themselves. If we do
not, we can only abandon one superstition to take up another, and it may
be a worse one. It is as bad for a man to think that he can know nothing
as to think he knows all.
--Henry George
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Henry_George>