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Red-collared Widowbird

Red-collared Widowbird

Euplectes ardens

Range & Recent Observations

Red-collared Widowbirdis a year-round resident and doesn't follow a migration flyway. See the Range tab for where it lives.

Last Spotted Near You

View on eBirdWikipedia

About the Red-collared Widowbird

The red-collared widowbird (Euplectes ardens) is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae. Red-collared widowbirds are found in grasslands and bush clearings in western and southern Africa. They are known for their long tails and brilliant red badges, both of which act as sexual ornaments. They are often associated with other widowbird and bishop species. They are polygynous, where males acquisition of territory is an important determinant in their access to mates. Red-collared widowbirds have a wide range and there is little concern in terms of conservation status.

Source: Wikipedia

Classification

Scientific name
Euplectes ardens
Family
Weavers and Allies
Order
Passeriformes

Similar species

Other members of the weavers and allies family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.

  • Black-headed Weaver Ploceus melanocephalus
  • Black-winged Bishop Euplectes hordeaceus
  • Golden Palm Weaver Ploceus bojeri
  • Northern Red Bishop Euplectes franciscanus
  • Red Fody Foudia madagascariensis
  • Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea
  • Southern Masked-Weaver Ploceus velatus
  • Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix
  • Taveta Golden-Weaver Ploceus castaneiceps
  • Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus
  • Vitelline Masked-Weaver Ploceus vitellinus
  • White-winged Widowbird Euplectes albonotatus

Know when the Red-collared Widowbird turns up near you

Add it to your watchlist and draw an alert zone around the places you actually bird. Birdr checks eBird reports and tells you when one is seen inside it.

How rare bird alerts work →

Gear for spotting Red-collared Widowbird

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Spotting Scopes for Distance Birding

Essential for shorebirds, raptors, and anything too far for binoculars. Our tested picks.

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