Introduction: Southern red bishops (Euplectes orix) will often reside in habitats not too far from water, which includes marshes, open grassland and irrigated agricultural areas.

Distribution: Patchy populations throughout Namibia mainly along the Kunene, Kwando, Zambezi and Chobe River. Also observed in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, the Orange River and southern regions of the country. Absent from the Namib Desert.

Diet: Eats mainly seeds and other plant material. Also take beetles, dragonflies, caterpillars and spiders.

Description: A small weaver with some red and yellow in the plumage. Distinctive black throat, face and forecrown, encircled by a red crown around the back of the neck and the upper breast.

Breeding: Nests are well-woven (Euplectes) with the frame built by the male and the female adding lining. From 1 to 5 eggs are laid February to May and incubated for around 13 days.

Size: 12 cm. Weight: 23g.

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