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)