Yellow-mantled Widowbird
Euplectes macrourus
Marshes. Breeding male all-black with yellow mantle and shoulder-patches.
Bishops, Widowbirds
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Locally common resident. Breeding male has yellow shoulders and back; cf. [Yellow Bishop], from which it is also identified by longer tail. Non-breeding male resembles female but retains yellow shoulders. Distinguished from White-winged Widowbird by lack of white in wings. Immature resembles female. Call is a thin, buzzing sound. Occurs in grassland near water. Breeding male displays with a jerky flight, the tail jerking up and down. When not breeding, forms flocks, often with other grassland species.
Quick Facts
Size
22 cm - M
Names
A: Geelrugflap
G: Gelbschulterwida
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 'grassland' near water.
