The Red Bishop Weaver (Euplectes orix orix) is a bird in the Ploceidae family of bishops and widowbirds. It is also known as the Grenadier Weaver or the Southern Red Bishop.
The Red Bishop Weaver looks like a sparrow with bright red or orange feathers and a red head, except for its black forehead, face, and throat. It has light-brown wings and a short, light-brown tail.
It grows to 10-15 centimetres (4-6 inches) tall.
It is found in eastern Africa and southern Africa, in countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa. It prefers wetlands and grasslands.
It feeds on seeds, grains, and plants.
It is a social bird that nests in colonies.
The male weaves a dome-shaped nest out of reeds. The female lays 1-4 eggs, which hatch after 14 days. The young birds leave the nest after 18-21 days and become fully independent after another 21 days.
Location of photographs: Nairobi, Kenya
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM