WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY - Southern Red Bishops in South Africa

Today I am showing you the Southern Red Bishop bird.  Now when I was at this lake in Johannesburg, South Africa, these birds has not reached their full breeding plumage and they were extremely difficult to photograph as they preferred to be deep in the reed bed and very flighty.  

Southern Red Bishop

12 cm

Look he is hiding from me!  Gurrr!

All the  birds I am showing you today are in their 

‘transitional’ phase of plumage.

Breeding male is black and red. Told from male Black-winged Bishop by its black (not red) forecrown and brown (not black) flight feathers; latter difference retained year-round. Non-breeding male and female have a broad, buffy supercilium, finely streaked breast and brownish bill. 

Voice: Advertising males give buzzing, chirping song; also ‘cheet-cheet' flight call and nasal ‘wheet' contact call.

Common, flock-feeding resident and local nomad in grassland, savanna and fields. Usually roosts and breeds in reed beds.

Now you will see just how flighty this bird was to photograph.  

CLICK HERE if the video does not appear. 

I am linking this post with WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY.

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also to all those people who leave comments.