Red-collared Widowbird
Euplectes ardens
Bushveld vleis. Breeding male. Red collar often difficult to see unless bird is perched.
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Common, localised resident. Breeding male has only a narrow red collar (can be difficult to see) and is much smaller than [Long-tailed Widowbird]; tail thinner. When displaying, male utters a weak ‘kizz-zizz-zizz-zizz’ as well as a blowing sound. Occurs in well-grassed bushveld, vleis, streams, rank grass in old cultivations and on hillsides. In summer, male flies about with spread tail or perches conspicuously on bushes.
Quick Facts
Size
15 cm Breeding male 40 cm - S
Names
A: Rooikeelflap
Z: uJojo
Ss: Molepe-Lalafubedu
G: Schildwida
Bird Family
Reed- and grass-loving seed-eaters, differing from other Ploceidae in that males are predominantly black when breeding, some with long tails. They habitually puff out their plumage in display. Non-breeding males and immatures resemble females, and can be very difficult to identify.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Occurs in well-grassed 'bushveld', vleis, streams, rank grass in old cultivations and on hillsides.
