Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Southern Red Bishop (Euplectes orix), male
Southern Red Bishop, Male

Southern Red Bishop

Euplectes orix

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.

Southern Red Bishop Sounds



Recorded by: © 
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Southern Red Bishops on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Weavers, Widowbirds

A photo of a Thick-billed Weaver (Amblyospiza albifrons) , male

Thick-billed Weaver

Amblyospiza albifrons
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Viperray5
Loving it
I really enjoy being able to interact with other birders on this platform! This seems like a great way to meet other birders and find some new spots.
Talli A
My favourite app
As a young birdwatcher who was always keen to be apart of a community but never seemed to find one, my problem was solved downloading this!!! Everyone is so friendly and just as excited to see birds as me 😁
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
Nick S
Work together with community
Been loving using this app to log my bird sightings and work together with community members to identify different birds. I've already learned a lot since I started about a month ago!
Dan R
Great app for bird fanatics
Great app for bird fanatics - very user friendly and a perfect place to share sightings.
Erna M
I really like Birda
I really like Birda. I also use other birding apps and have Birda with E-bird going at the same time.
Carrie
Makes you want to spot birds more
I think this app is fun. It makes you want to spot birds more so I guess in a way it encourages you to get out and about instead of sitting in front of the TV.
Anonymous
The best bird logging app
Birda is honestly the best bird logging app I have seen. I love all the features it has from being able to do a session and log all the birds you see in one sitting, to being able to connect with other birders from all over the globe!
EandB17
Terrific App for Birders
Downloaded Birda around the time my interest in birding was sparked, and it has been a terrific app to help me (1) share my experience, (2) document my sightings, and (3) learn more about birds in general. That said, I also believe Birda is a fantastic app for birders of all experience levels. Great community!
Safira V
Birding and wellbeing app
Birda is an excellent platform to share your love of Birding and is a great tool of encouragement for a Birding Beginner like me. Birda has a very kind and supportive community of Birding enthusiasts. For me BIRDA is not only a BIRDING but also a WELLBEING App.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.