the redder the better

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House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus)

Male house finches—once sold in pet stores as Hollywood finches—come in a variety of reds: from super intense New Jersey fire engine scarlet to a muted down and pale red-orange.

Studies have shown that if two males are together, a female will pick the male that is the most RED.

And the reason is fairly simple, the male that has eaten the best, most nutritious diet over the past year develops the reddest plumage. So the redder one is the healthiest and she wants a healthy father for her clutch.

This is another great photo from my friend Wayne Mallinger

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