- Euplectes orix
Identification
13-15 cm. The male is scarlet when breeding, with a black head and waistcoat; his wings and tail are brown. The bill is conical, thick and black. The non-breeding male is pale yellow-brown with a buff supercilium. Females are similar, but smaller. Young birds have wider pale fringes on their flight feathers.
Its call is a thin tsip.
Distribution
Most of Africa south of the Sahara Desert.
Taxonomy
Habitat
Open country, tall grassland, near water.
Behaviour
Its nest is spherical and woven, and is situated in tall grass. It lays 2 - 4 eggs. It feeds on seed, grain and some insects.
