Bird Guide

Red-collared Widowbird vs Yellow-crowned Bishop

Red-collared Widowbird (Euplectes ardens)

Red-collared Widowbird

Euplectes ardens

Small19 gGrassland

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.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Edmundas Greimas · CC BY 4.0
Yellow-crowned Bishop (Euplectes afer)

Yellow-crowned Bishop

Euplectes afer

Tiny14 gWetland

The yellow-crowned bishop is 95 to 105 mm (3.7–4.1 in) in length and 15 g (0.53 oz) in weight. During the breeding season it is sexually dimorphic — that is, the observable characteristics of the males become more apparent. During the breeding season, the male has distinctive golden yellow and black plumage. The bill of both sexes is short and conical. The color of the male's bill is black during breeding season; by contrast, during non-breeding season, the male's bill is horn in color, as is the female's. The legs and feet are pinkish brown.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: luckyatabo · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Red-collared Widowbird and Yellow-crowned Bishop.