Yellow-mantled Widowbird
Euplectes macroura
The Yellow-mantled Widowbird (Euplectes macroura) is a rare weaver found in 27 countries, weighing about 22 g. The yellow-mantled widowbird, also known as the yellow-backed widow, is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae.
About the Yellow-mantled Widowbird
The yellow-mantled widowbird, also known as the yellow-backed widow, is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Males are larger than females and acquire longer tails and striking black and golden yellow plumages in the breeding season. The mantle colour is either golden yellow, or in the case of the northeastern race, E. m. macrocercus, black. The yellow shoulders persist in all male plumages, whether breeding or non-breeding.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Burkina Faso, South Africa.
When to see it
The Yellow-mantled Widowbird can be seen all year round, with peak activity in July. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Yellow-mantled Widowbird?
- Males are larger than females and acquire longer tails and striking black and golden yellow plumages in the breeding season. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Yellow-mantled Widowbird?
- The Yellow-mantled Widowbird is a small sized bird weighing about 22 g.
- Where can you see a Yellow-mantled Widowbird?
- The Yellow-mantled Widowbird occurs in 27 countries, including Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Ghana.
- What birds look similar to a Yellow-mantled Widowbird?
- The Yellow-mantled Widowbird is most easily confused with the Black-winged Red Bishop, the Black Bishop and the Zanzibar Red Bishop.
- Is the Yellow-mantled Widowbird endangered?
- The Yellow-mantled Widowbird is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
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