Editor’s note:
The boar is down! “Monkey Paper” has arrived on my balcony! News of wild animals coming to the city is popping up on social media. In fact, we are surrounded by so many native wild animals that we know very little about. Understanding, friendship, and companionship, all things can live in harmony with each other, and cultivate in their own way. Xinhua Daily·Meeting Point, together with Jiangsu Wildlife Conservation Station, Jiangsu Forestry Research Institute, Nanjing Hongshan Forest Zoo, etc., launched the “Eye of Mystery · Friends of Humanity” calendar column, which will take you through infrared cameras, animal observers, etc. From the perspective of etc., to pay attention to the familiar and mysterious “animal neighbors”. Biodiversity is the basis of survival and vitality of the human homeland. Every solar term, we will also invite the solar term official to make a special recommendation and broadcast on that day. Today, let’s get to know a kind of petite bird that is affectionate between males and females and is not afraid of people – the red-billed acacia.
Red-billed acacia – petite bird that is not afraid of people
Red-billed acacia, also known as acacia, red-billed jade, red-billed bird, etc., has a body length of about 13 to 16 centimeters, and is colorful and unforgettable. It belongs to the Passeridae family.
The majority of species of the stinger family are not much different between males and females, and the red-billed acacia is no exception. The only difference in plumage color between males and females is that the red wing spot of the female bird is lighter than that of the male bird, which is orange-yellow.
Compared with appearance, it is easier to distinguish male and female red-billed acacias from the sound. The male bird often flaps its wings and erects its body feathers when singing. The sound is crisp and loud, changing and pleasant to the ear. The sound is like “weigui-weigui-weigui-weigui”. .
The red-billed acacia is lively, active, and docile. It is not afraid of human beings’ appropriate approach.
Why does it have “Acacia” in its name?
The red-billed acacia is named after the red beak and the love between males and females.
Red-billed acacias are usually not afraid of people, but in the breeding season from April to June, they are shy and like to hide in pairs in secluded places, grooming each other’s feathers, and doing intimate actions, like lovers in love. Male and female birds are inseparable from each other and are extremely loyal to their partners.
The red-billed acacia calls are changeable, sometimes whispering, sometimes tactfully and long. When they are separated, the male will sing aloud to the female incessantly, responding to each other, as if to confide in lovesickness.
During the breeding season, they build cup-shaped woven nests in their habitat, often hanging on vertical or horizontal branches of shrubs or dwarf bamboos 0.5 to 1.5 meters above the ground. Each nest lays 3 to 5 eggs, which are greenish-white to light blue with scattered dark spots.
What kind of ecological environment does the red-billed acacia like?
The red-billed acacia likes to live in the mountains from the plain to 2000 meters above sea level, and often inhabits the thickets or bamboo forests of evergreen broad-leaved forests, evergreen and deciduous mixed forests.
In winter, they migrate to low mountains or plains, where they are more likely to be active in the woodlands and thickets of Jiangsu city parks.
They are not only active in the lower layers of the bushes, but also often go to the middle layer or canopy to forage, and occasionally go to the ground to find food. Sexually married or mixed with other birds, noisy flocks inhabit the understory vegetation of secondary forests.
The red-billed acacia mainly eats caterpillars, beetles, ants and other insects, but also eats plant foods such as plant fruits and seeds, and occasionally eats a small amount of crops such as corn.
Love it, don’t imprison it
The cheerful song, colorful and affectionate habits make the red-billed acacia one of the world‘s famous caged ornamental birds. They often rest close together and lick each other’s feathers.
But I have to mention that some illegal traders will capture wild red-billed acacias from the wild, and then use the name of artificial breeding to sell them in large quantities. In the process of catching birds in the wild, selling them, and then reaching various households, most of the red-billed acacias were killed and injured, and few survivors. Please pay attention to protect wild birds, don’t imprison it if you love it.
Written by: Liu Chun
Editor: Cao Jiarui
Photography: Photo courtesy of Suzhou Forestry Station and Soochow University Institute of Ecology