White-winged widowbird

The white-winged widowbird is a captivating bird species endemic to Africa, predominantly found south of the Sahara. Renowned for its striking appearance, this species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism, particularly during the breeding season. Males display dark plumage accented with prominent white patches on their wings, while females present a more muted, pale coloration. There are three recognized subspecies of this bird: Euplectes albonotatus albonotatus, Euplectes albonotatus eques, and Euplectes albonotatus asymmetrurus.

First documented in 1848 by John Cassin, the white-winged widowbird has also been noted for instances of hybridization with "red bishops" in captivity. The species is known by various other names, including the white-fronted widowbird, white-shouldered widowbird, and long-tailed black whydah.

In terms of size, the white-winged widowbird ranges from 15 to 19 cm in length and weighs approximately 23 grams. Males are easily distinguishable by their short tails and striking white wing coverts, in contrast to the lack of yellow markings on their backs. Females, conversely, feature a paler underside.

These birds are widely distributed across various African countries and thrive in habitats such as savannas, grasslands, wetlands, and even cultivated lands. Their distinctive calls include sounds like "zeh-zeh-zeh" and "witz-witz-witz."

Behaviorally, the white-winged widowbird is polygynous, with one male mating with multiple females. Males construct oval-shaped nests in tree branches, where females lay between two to four eggs. The incubation period lasts approximately 12 to 14 days, and once hatched, the chicks remain in the nest for 11 to 14 days, achieving independence after 22 to 25 days. The diet of these birds primarily consists of grass seeds, nectar, and insects.