Southern Red Bishop

The Southern Red Bishop (Euplectes orix) is a vibrant, small passerine bird, a member of the weaver family Ploceidae. It is known for its striking sexual dimorphism, with breeding males adorned in a fiery red and black plumage, while females and non-breeding males display a more subdued, streaky brown appearance.

Identification Tips

Breeding males are unmistakable with their rich red and black coloration. They have a black face, throat, and belly, with the rest of the body a brilliant red, except for the brown wings and tail. Females and non-breeding males are paler and streaked brown, with the females being slightly smaller in size. The species is characterized by a thick conical bill, ideal for seed consumption.

Habitat

The Southern Red Bishop thrives in wetlands and grasslands within Africa south of the Equator. It has a preference for areas near water, such as reeds and sedges, and can also be found in agricultural landscapes like sugar cane fields.

Distribution

This species is widely distributed across the southern and eastern regions of Africa, ranging from South Africa to Angola, and extending to parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Uganda, Nigeria, and Kenya. It avoids arid zones such as the Namib Desert and Kalahari.

Behaviour

The Southern Red Bishop is a sociable bird, often seen in flocks and nesting in colonies. It is polygynous, with males courting multiple females by constructing several nests and performing elaborate display flights. Its diet consists mainly of seeds, supplemented by insects.

Song & Calls

The male's song is a distinctive buzzing sound, while the species also emits various twittering calls and a nasal contact call, facilitating communication within flocks.

Breeding

During the breeding season, males exhibit their prowess by building multiple nests to attract females and engaging in fluffed-up feather displays. The nests are typically woven among reeds using grasses and other plant materials. Females lay two to four eggs per clutch.

Similar Species

The Northern Red Bishop (Euplectes franciscanus) is similar in appearance but can be distinguished by its red throat and longer tail-coverts in males. The females and non-breeding males of both species are nearly identical.

Diet and Feeding

The Southern Red Bishop feeds predominantly on seeds, with a partiality for grass seeds. It also consumes insects, particularly during the breeding season when additional protein is beneficial.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies the Southern Red Bishop as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without significant threats to its survival at present.