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Red-collared Widowbird | Euplectes ardens
The Red-collared Widowbird is a Southern African bird that belongs to the Ploceidae bird family group which includes birds such as Weavers, Queleas, Windowbirds. The description for the Red-collared Widowbird (Latin name Euplectes ardens) can be found in the 7th Edition of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. The Euplectes ardens can be quickly identified by its unique Roberts identification number of 831 and the detailed description of this bird is on page 1034. You will find a picture of the Red-collared Widowbird on page 1025. NOTE: The reference for the information following is "Roberts Birds of Southern Africa", 7th Edition*. This edition contained a number of taxonomic changes as well as changes to English names used traditionally and in earlier editions of most bird books in South Africa. The following paragraph notes such changes if any. This bird is known as Red-collared Widow in the Roberts 6th Edition. The Red-collared Widowbird is known in Afrikaans as Rooikeelflap. The Red-collared Widowbird has a height of 12 cms and weighs around 28 gms. The head is coloured black while the bill is coloured black. The Euplectes ardens has a black, red coloured throat, black legs and a black coloured back. The eyes are brown. The male Euplectes ardens has physical features that are slightly different from the female bird. Take note of the main distinguishing features such as colour, size and leg length relative to the body size. Colours of body parts can be helpful. Be aware what may appear brown to one person is described in Roberts using some other word ... for example brown, black. See colours used in Roberts. Head is black Eyes are brown Bill is black Legs are black Throat is black, red Back is black Feeding Habits ...This bird forages for food on the ground The Euplectes ardens attacks its prey aerially and feeds on wing or takes the prey to a secluded venue where it is killed, torn into small pieces and eaten This bird eats insects such as butterflies, bees, wasps, locusts and ants. These invertebrates are usually hawked aerially, killed and then eaten . The Euplectes ardens forages mainly on the ground or at the base of trees, and low down in the shrubs eating mostly fruits and seeds. The bird also drinks nectar from flowers high up in the tree canopy. Breeding, Habitat and Nesting Habits ...The nest is built high up in the tree canopy and is protected from predators by branches and the dense green foligae. The Red-collared Widowbird is mainly found in light and densely wooded forests, where there are Mopane trees. The bird is mainly found in the Savanna grasslands where it breeds and feeds. The Red-collared Widowbird is found in the Southern African wetlands, riverine forests and moist grasslands. This bird is very common in most of the Southern African Forests Seen in Flocks, Singles or Pairs Normally ...This bird is usually seen in small family groups or in large flocks |
