Red-collared Widowbird
Euplectes ardens
Red-collared Widowbird has bright red collar; found in African grasslands.
| Scientific name | Euplectes ardens |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | Least Concern |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Ploceidae |
| Size | Male: approximately 18-20 cm, weight about 30-40 grams; female: smaller in size, slightly lighter in weight |
How to identify
Male in breeding season has a bright red collar; plumage mainly black with long tail feathers; female coloration is duller, mainly brown and yellowish-brown; male tail feathers are long and conspicuous; tail is prominently displayed during flight
Habitat
Open grasslands, wooded savannas, shrublands, and edges of agricultural fields
Diet
Primarily seeds, occasionally insects and other small invertebrates
When it is active
Diurnal, active during the day
Where it lives
Distributed in East Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda; common in the Maasai Mara region of Kenya
How to spot it
Look for males in breeding plumage at dawn or dusk in open grasslands or shrub edges; use binoculars to observe long tail feathers and red collar
Photography tips
Use a telephoto lens to capture the male’s bright breeding plumage and tail display; shoot in soft light during early morning or late afternoon
Threats
Habitat destruction and potential habitat loss due to agricultural expansion
Similar species
Black-necked Widowbird (Euplectes hordeaceus), distinguished by a brighter red collar and longer tail feathers
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