About Euplectes ardens (Boddaert, 1783)
Like other widowbirds, male red-collared widowbirds (Euplectes ardens) exhibit both seasonal and sexual dimorphism. Males measure around 25 cm (9.8 in) in length, while females reach only 13 cm. This size difference also applies to weight: males weigh between 20 and 26 g (0.71 to 0.92 oz), and females weigh between 16 and 22 g. During the non-breeding season, males have brown plumage. In the breeding season, which runs from October to April, breeding males have black plumage, a long tail that measures approximately 22 cm, and a crescent-shaped carotenoid-based chest patch. The carotenoid badges show significant variation in brightness, hue, and chroma. In contrast, females, subadults, and non-breeding males are streaky dull brown with a short tail that measures approximately 4 cm. Non-breeding males keep their black tails, while the tails of females and subadults are dark-brown. Red-collared widowbirds are found across Eastern and Southern Africa. They live in a variety of habitats, and are most often found in open grasslands, agricultural areas, forest clearings, and slopes with limited tree coverage.
