adult male in striking breeding plumage (California, USA; 2007-04-02)


Northern Red Bishop
Euplectes franciscanus

Native Range: Africa

Notes: striking sexual dimrphism with female being a drably streaked brown bird whereas the breeding male is strikingly patterned in black and red; native to Africa but some small introduced populations have become established in southern California.

dorsal view; bright red-orange on back, tail (California, USA; 2007-04-02)
adult male posing for a portrait (California, USA; 2007-04-02)

female; drab brown with light breast streaks (South Africa; 2007-06-30)
female (Zoo; 2012-09-19)

male in dorsal view (Zoo; 2012-09-19)
ventral view (Zoo; 2012-09-19)

note the pattern of black on the head (Zoo; 2012-09-19)
some birds are deeper red than others (Zoo; 2012-09-19)

frontal view showing puffed-up courtship posture Zoo; 2012-09-19)
dorsal view showing puffed-up courtship posture (Zoo; 2012-09-19)