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Black-winged Bishop | Euplectes hordeaceus
The Black-winged Bishop 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 Black-winged Bishop (Latin name Euplectes hordeaceus) can be found in the 7th Edition of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. The Euplectes hordeaceus can be quickly identified by its unique Roberts identification number of 825 and the detailed description of this bird is on page 1027. You will find a picture of the Black-winged Bishop 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 Fire-crowned Bishop in the Roberts 6th Edition. The Black-winged Bishop has a height of 12 cms and weighs around 25 gms. The head is coloured orange, red while the bill is coloured black. The Euplectes hordeaceus has a white coloured throat, brown legs and a red, brown coloured back. The eyes are brown. The male Euplectes hordeaceus 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 orange, red Eyes are brown Bill is black Legs are brown Throat is white Back is red, brown Feeding Habits ...This bird forages for food on the ground The Euplectes hordeaceus 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 . 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 Black-winged Bishop 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. Seen in Flocks, Singles or Pairs Normally ...It is also seen in flocks |
