Red-collared Widowbird
A species of Bishops and widowbirds Scientific name : Euplectes ardens Genus : Bishops and widowbirds
Red-collared Widowbird, A species of Bishops and widowbirds
Botanical name: Euplectes ardens
Genus: Bishops and widowbirds
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Francesco Veronesi , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
Similar to other widowbirds, male red-collared widowbirds have both seasonal and sexual dimorphism. Males are about 25 cm (9.8 in) in length while females are only 13 centimeters. A similar trend is seen with weight, where males range from 20 to 26 g (0.71 to 0.92 oz) and females are only between 16 and 22 grams. During non-breeding seasons, the male plumage is brown, while in breeding season, October to April, they have black plumage with a long tail, approximately 22 cm, and crescent-shaped carotenoid based chest patch. There is significant variation in brightness, hue, and chroma of the carotenoid badges. In contrast, females and subadults, like nonbreeding males, are streaky dull brown with a short tail, approximately 4 cm. Nonbreeding males, however, retain their black tails, while females and subadults' tails are dark-brown. 
Size
12 - 25 cm
Feeding Habits
Red-collared Widowbird's diet consists mainly of sorghum seeds, grass seeds, nectar, small berries, and insects like ants, caterpillars, and termites. They forage in large roosts, feeding on the ground, often with other species. Unique for their collective foraging behavior.
Habitat
The red-collared Widowbird primarily inhabits grassland areas, which range from open and bushed grasslands to scrub and agricultural lands. They are adaptable to various environments, including cleared forest regions, often preferring terrain with sparse trees. Generally located at elevations up to 2200 meters, depending on the region within Eastern and Southern Africa, these birds are less commonly found in altitudes above 1500 meters in East Africa, while in regions like Cameroon, Zambia, and Malawi, they occupy higher elevations up to 1900-2200 meters.
Dite type
Granivorous
General Info
Distribution Area
Red-collared widowbirds are found throughout Eastern and Southern Africa. While their habitats are varied, they are often found in open grasslands, agricultural areas, clearings in forests, and on slopes with limited tree coverage.
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Weavers Genus
Bishops and widowbirds Species
Red-collared Widowbird 
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