Black-winged Bishop Euplectes hordeaceus

Identification
The Black-winged Bishop (or Fire-crowned Bishop) Euplectes hordeaceus is wide-spread through tropical Africa. It is one of 5 ‘red bishop’ species (where the males in breeding plumage are mainly red and black). The Black-winged Bishop male in breeding plumage is distinguished from the other ‘red bishops’ by having both a red crown and red breast band. Females and non-breeding birds are dull coloured, with a broad yellowish supercilium, and a rich brown breast-band. In flight, the black wings (retained in the non-breeding season) contrast with the brown upperparts (the wings are brown in the other ‘red bishops’).

This species was described by Linnaeus, based on a specimen from Senegal, and photos of the holotype may be viewed here.

Distribution
The Black-winged Bishop is found from Mauritania in West Africa across to Ethiopia and south to Angola and north-eastern Zimbabwe (see red on map above, based on Birds of Africa). It occurs on Sao Tome (possibly introduced), Zanzibar and Pemba Islands. Several subspecies have been proposed but plumage differences appear to be individual variation and the species is thus treated as monotypic.

Habitat
The Black-winged Bishop inhabits bushed grassland, rice fields, and tall grassland, as well as open areas in forested country. It is usually in pairs or small groups but forms large roving flocks in the non-breeding season, and is often found in mixed-species flocks.

Food
Its diet is grass seeds, and also rice and green maize. Insects include caterpillars and termite alates. The Black-winged Bishop spends much time near the tops of tall grasses, but forages mainly on the ground in savanna, often concentrated at sites of abandoned cultivation, with secondary growth of tall grasses.

Breeding
The Black-winged Bishop is polygynous, and the highly territorial males attract up to 4 females. In display, the male perches prominently in his territory with plumage fluffed out. He swivels about, calling constantly, and flies up 4-5 m then glides back to his perch. Males also perform a horizontal display flight between perches with the body feathers puffed out, and wings flapping slowly.

The nest resembles the nest of the Southern Red Bishop but has a larger side entrance and distinct overhanging porch. The nest is placed in tall grass or coarse vegetation, 0.8-3.0m above ground. It is usually supported by grass stems on either side of the large entrance. During droughts, the first nests are built 3 weeks later than average, and more nests are built in trees than in grass. This species seldom breeds in colonies, and is often solitary or with 2 males close together. The male constructs the nest, and may work on more than one at a time. The female lines an accepted nest with fine grass. Only the female incubates the eggs and feeds the chicks. Nests may be parasitized by the Diederik Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius.

Breeding season
Jul-Aug in Senegal, Ghana and Togo, Aug-Sept in Mauritania, Mali, Liberia and Burkina Faso, Aug-Nov in Gambia, Sept-Jan in Sierra Leone, Aug-Oct in Nigeria Sept-Dec in Cameroon, and Dec-Jan and Apr on Sao Tome; breeds Aug-Oct in Sudan, and Apr-May and Aug-Oct in Ethiopia; Jan-May in Angola; in DRCongo, Aug-Oct in Uele and Jan-May in S region, Apr-Aug in Uganda, recorded in most months (mainly Apr-Jul) in Kenya, Feb-Jun in Tanzania (during drought, first nests three weeks later than average), but May-Aug on Zanzibar; Jan-Apr in Zambia and Zimbabwe, Feb-May in Malawi and Jan-Mar in Mozmbique

Nest site
supported 0.8-3.0 m above ground by vertical stems of tall grass or other vegetation; during drought in Tanzania, more nests built in trees than in grass

Nest building
built by male, lined by female

Colony size
Male defends territory of 400-1200 m2. Often solitary nester, sometimes a few males close together

Clutch size
2-4 eggs

Egg colour
light blue-green, rarely with tiny black spots

Egg size
average size of 17 eggs 18.5 x 13.8 mm (DRCongo)

Incubation
incubation by female alone, one report of male on nest containing eggs, period 12-14 days

Chicks and nestling period
chicks fed by female only, nestling period 11-13 days, up to 16 days in unfavourable conditions