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

_______________________________ 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

_____________________________ 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

___________________________ 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