Black-winged Bishop - BirdForum Opus

Photo by Andrew S
Lake Tana, Ethiopia, April 2010

Alternative name: Black-winged Red Bishop

Euplectes hordeaceus

Identification

Female
Photo © by whiteheadedvulture
Kumasi, Ashanti, Ghana, 21 October 2023

13-15cm
Thick, black conical bill
Breeding male

• Scarlet head, neck and upper breast
• Black mask, belly and wings
• Brown tail
  

Non-breeding male

• Yellowish-brown, streaked above
• White underparts
• Yellowish supercilium
  

Female- similar, but paler

Non-breeding
Photo by gambirder
Brufut Woods, Gambia, April 2010

Similar Species

A much bulkier, less compact bird than the more common Northern Red Bishop.

Distribution

Widespread throught out sub-Saharan Africa (except South Africa)

Taxonomy

Winter coat to summer coat transition
Photo © by whiteheadedvulture
konkori, Kumasi, Ashanti, Ghana, 15 May 2024

This is a monotypic species^[1].

Subspecies craspedopterus is not recognised by all authorities^[2].

Habitat

Open country near water, damp grassland and farms.

Behaviour

Breeding

Its nest is a sphere, placed in tall grass. The clutch consists of 2-4 eggs.

Diet

The diet includes seed, grain and insects.

References

1. Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
2. Wikipedia
3. BF Member observations

• List of references

Recommended Citation

• BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Black-winged Bishop. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 2 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Black-winged_Bishop

External Links

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