Mai Hoa Bird - A bird with bright red color in Vietnam

Mai Hoa bird (also known as manh manh ta) is a popular pet bird in Vietnam. Possessing a bright red color in males and a friendly, adaptable temperament.

Mai hoa birds , also known as manh manh ta birds (scientific name is Amandava amandava), are a species of bird related to migratory birds. They not only possess bright red feathers (in males, they are full of fire), and have a gentle, pleasant chirping voice, but are also friendly and easy to raise, so they have become a favorite choice of many bird lovers in Vietnam.

If you want to have a clearer picture of the origin, appearance, habits as well as detailed care for the plum blossom bird, don't miss the article shared by nicebirds below!

Mai Hoa bird information :

Origin & distribution of the Mai Hoa bird

The Mai Hoa bird is a popular ornamental bird in Vietnam.

The mai hoa bird, also known as the manh manh ta bird, scientific name is Amandava amandava, a species of bird belonging to the order Amandava, family migratory birds.

The original home of this bird is India. But now they are naturally distributed in many areas from the Indian subcontinent to all over Southeast Asia, specifically as follows:

• India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka
• Southern China
• Thailand, Cambodia, Laos
• Malaysia, Indonesia
• Vietnam, especially the southern provinces such as Tay Ninh, Dong Nai, An Giang and Ho Chi Minh City

The name "Mai Hoa" comes from the bright red fur with white dots that give the feeling of blooming apricot blossoms.

In China, plum blossom is also called "Hong Tu Dieu" - meaning "red baby bird".

Nowadays, this bird is popularly raised in the ornamental bird industry, especially in Vietnam, China, Japan and Thailand.

Appearance of the plum blossom bird

The difference in color between female and male plum blossom birds.

Although the Mai Hoa bird is a small bird, it has bright and attractive colors, the most prominent in the Estrildidae family. Let's learn more about the appearance of this bird below to see how special it is.

Size & shape:

• Length : 10 - 11 cm, belongs to the group of small ornamental birds.
• Weight : 8 - 10g
• Body : Small, slender, short tail, short wings, looks quite lovely.

Male bird colors in breeding season:

• The whole body is bright red, looks like a strawberry so it is also called "Strawberry Finch".
• On the wings and hips there are many tiny white dots that look like bright apricot blossoms.
• The back and tail are deep red, with purple or black tints depending on the species.
• The chest, belly and rump are a bright red.
• The beak is also bright red, thick, and slightly curved.
• Legs are light pink or slightly brown.

Color of female and chicks:

• The main color is light grayish brown or ash gray, without the bright red of the male. There are no white spots or very few, not very prominent.
• In older females a few faint red streaks may appear on the chest or belly.
• The beak is pale red or gray.

Note : Male birds are also bright red only during the breeding season, but after the season they will turn brown like female birds. This phenomenon is also known as "Fire Dropping".

Habits and behavior of the plum blossom bird

The mai hoa bird (manh manh ta) and the manh manh bird eat seeds together in peace.

Mai Hoa is not only a small, pretty bird, but it also has a very gentle, mild temperament and many interesting habits and behaviors. Let's find out more details here!

Gentle, like to live in packs

The Mai Hoa bird (manh manh ta) has a very gentle and peaceful temperament and rarely fights with other birds, so you can completely raise many birds in one cage or pair them easily.

In nature, they also live in small flocks of 5 - 10 individuals, and are not territorial or "jealous" of each other.

Dynamic & agile

The Mai Hoa bird is small and slender, so it is very agile, often flying and moving continuously in the wild or in cages.

Therefore, you need to note that the cage must be large enough for them to move comfortably, otherwise they may get stressed.

chirping, pleasant voice

The Mai Hoa bird has a very small voice, just chirping and very pleasant to the ear, like a sparrow. During the breeding season, the male bird often "flirts" with the female bird by chirping and flapping its wings and dancing. The female bird rarely sings and mostly only makes very soft chirps to communicate.

The rooster is on fire seasonally.

The plum blossom bird has a very interesting and completely different characteristic compared to other ornamental birds, which is that the male bird will "light up" - its feathers turn bright red when entering the breeding season, which usually takes place from early summer to early autumn.

Outside of the breeding season, the male will “shed” his feathers – gradually fading to resemble the female’s color.

Adaptable

The Mai Hoa bird is very adaptable to changes in the surrounding environment, they are not demanding so they can live comfortably in artificial captivity.

You can even raise them with many other gentle birds such as magpies and small budgies.

Reproductive behavior

Because of its adaptability, the plum blossom also reproduces well in artificial conditions. When successfully mated, the male bird will lead the female to find a nest and display strange behaviors such as flapping its wings, shaking its body and dancing excitedly.

Birds usually build spherical or hemispherical nests with a small door in the front for easy access. Females lay 4-6 eggs per clutch, then incubate them for about 2 weeks before they hatch into chicks.

Instructions for raising and caring for mai hoa birds (manh manh ta) for beginners

A pair of female and male magpie birds are being raised in a cage.

Mai Hoa is a pet bird that is both beautiful and adaptable, so it is very popular in the pet bird world. However, if you are new to "playing birds", please refer to some detailed instructions below to have a beautiful, colorful and most active bird!

Prepare cage/cage

Mai Hoa birds like to live in flocks or pairs, do not like to live alone, so you should prioritize raising them in pairs or small flocks. A suitable cage for this bird species needs to meet the following requirements:

• Single cage (1 - 2 birds) : Size from 40 x 25 x 35 cm (length x width x height), should be made of bamboo or stainless steel.
• Raising in flocks (3 - 6 birds or more) : Should use mini aviary cages with sizes from 60 - 80 cm or more.
• Necessary equipment in the cage : Round wooden perches, food trough, water trough, manure tray at the bottom of the cage. If breeding, a pre-woven nest is needed.
• Location of cage : Place in a cool place, avoid strong winds, avoid harsh light, not damp,...

What do magpies eat?

The Mai Hoa bird eats very simply, does not require too sophisticated or expensive food. You can feed them the following foods:

• Main food : Seeds such as millet, sesame seeds, oats - feed daily.
• Supplemental food : Egg bran, rice worms, crushed boiled eggs and green vegetables.
• Vitamins and minerals : Supplement with crushed shells, bran clay or bird bran to both supplement calcium and help birds have a good digestive system.
• Drinking water : Clean water should be provided, changed daily, and vitamin B1 can be added occasionally if needed.

Note :

• Birds should be fed twice a day, divided into morning and afternoon. Do not let birds go hungry for long. Do not feed them too much wet feed because it will affect the digestive system.
• If you want male birds to have a fiery red color for a long time during the breeding season, you should feed them food rich in protein and vitamins. After they lose their fire, switch them back to a normal diet.

Daily bird care & cleaning

To help your bird stay healthy, grow well and rarely get sick, you need to pay attention to cleaning and caring for the bird every day. Specifically as follows:

• Change drinking water, clean food and drink trays, and remove leftover food every day.
• Change the litter tray and clean the bottom of the cage 2-3 times a week.
• Birds should be given early morning sunbathing every day to keep their feathers healthy and shiny.
• You can give your bird a bath 1-2 times a week by placing a shallow water tray in the cage for the bird to bathe itself.

Mai Hoa bird price list (manh manh ta)

Currently, mai hoa birds (manh manh ta) are commonly sold in the Vietnamese bird market at quite cheap prices, from only a few tens of thousands to a few hundred thousand, depending on age, color and purity. Let's find out more details in the following price list!

You can buy reputable plum blossom birds at some of the following suggestions:

• Famous bird shops in big cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang,...
• E-commerce site Cho Tot, Lazada
• Facebook groups such as "Mai Hoa Bird Club (Manh Manh ta)" - a place to buy, sell, and exchange experiences in raising birds.

Image of the mai hoa bird (manh manh ta)

Selected images of the most beautiful and impressive plumage of the male bird or the lovely simplicity of the female bird. Please take a look and give your feelings about this unique bird!

A fiery male magpie with brilliant red feathers.

A magpie is holding a feather.

Female plum blossom birds have simple colors, not as bright as male birds.

The cuckoo bird has a bright red color that catches the eye.

Image of a plum blossom bird "falling fire".

Image of female magpie walking on the grass.

Through the above article, nicebirds.net has shared with you full information about the mai hoa bird (manh manh ta) . This is not only a pet bird with an eye-catching appearance and gentle temperament, but also an ideal choice for those who are new to pet bird passion.

If you want to find a small, cute, easy to raise, easy to breed bird, don't miss the name Mai hoa - manh manh ta!

Goodbye and see you again in the next articles of the Blog section to learn more about other beautiful ornamental birds!