The Southern Red Bishop is a small bird that transforms into a sight to behold during the breeding season. Their plumage changes color, and breeding males become extremely brightly colored with red to orange upperparts, brownish wings, and an equally brownish tail. The bird’s upper breast and lower tail coverts turn red to orange, and the breast and legs turn black. His appearance is completed with a red head and a black mask-like face. This transformation is the result of a blend of rich vermilion and velvety black.
In comparison, females and non-breeding males are nondescript, with short tails and buff eyebrows. They have fairly downy plumage, making it difficult to distinguish them from other Bishop species.
The southern red bishop is common in the wetlands and grasslands of Africa south of the equator. North of the equator, it is replaced by the northern red bishop. During the breeding season, the southern red bishop is found near water among grass, sedges, sedges, or crops such as sugar cane. Outside the breeding season, ⱱeпtᴜгe in drier savanna and grassland habitats.
The once simple bird transforms into a ѕtᴜппіпɡ creature adorned with a vibrant red cape, stylish cap, and sleek black vest. Her appearance now captivates the eyes of all who behold her, radiating a new beauty and charm.
The southern red bishop is an omnivorous bird that feeds on seeds and insects. Its diet is varied and it can eat a wide range of foods.
The southern red bishop is a polygamous species, with the male taking more than one female simultaneously or consecutively. However, the male does not help with incubation or raising the chicks. Instead, he defended his territory against other males. At the beginning of the breeding season, the male builds a series of nests in his territory to attract females. It shows its construction with a striking fight called a bumblebee fight, with its feathers ruffled. The nest is oval in shape and woven of grass, usually built over water. The female will lay two to four eggs inside.
Although the Southern Red Bishop is not eudated, it is still an interesting bird to watch. You can see and hear this bird in the following video.