Northern red bishop facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Northern red bishop |
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| Male in breeding plumage | |
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| Breeding male in Gambia | |
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Ploceidae |
| Genus: | Euplectes |
| Species: |
E. franciscanus
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| Binomial name | |
| Euplectes franciscanus (Isert, 1789)
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| Synonyms | |
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Euplectes franciscana |
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The northern red bishop or orange bishop (Euplectes franciscanus) is a small, colorful bird. It belongs to the Ploceidae family, which includes many types of weaver birds. This bird is part of a large group with over 60 different species. It looks very similar to its close relative, the Southern red bishop. You can easily spot the northern red bishop by the bright reddish-orange and black feathers worn by the males during breeding season. These birds are most common in northern Africa. However, they have also been introduced to other parts of the world, including the Americas.
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What's in a Name?
The northern red bishop was first officially described in 1789. This happened in Accra, Ghana, by a scientist named Paul Erdmann Isert. The name Euplectes means "good weaver," which fits these birds well. The second part, franciscanus, refers to the Franciscans. This was a religious group from the 12th century known for their crimson (deep red) color.
For a long time, the northern red bishop was thought to be a type of subspecies of the southern red bishop. But now, scientists know they are two different species. They are separated by the equator in Africa. The northern red bishop lives in the northern parts of the continent. The southern red bishop lives in the south. Studies in 2007 showed that these two species are like close siblings in the bird family. You can tell the male northern red bishop apart by the red color that goes all the way under its chin. Besides the southern red bishop, its closest relative is the black bishop. This bird also lives in Africa.
How to Spot a Northern Red Bishop
This small bird has a short tail. It is about 11 centimeters long and weighs between 12 and 22 grams. The amazing red-orange feathers come from special colors called pigments. These pigments are found in the food the birds eat. Yellow, orange, and red colors come from compounds called carotenoids. These are very important for their diet.
In the wild, two main carotenoids give the bird its color. However, northern red bishops kept in zoos might not get all these special colors from their food. The bright feathers cover the male's back, chin, throat, and chest. They also have a dark black crown, forehead, and belly. Their tail and upper wings are brown. They have light-colored legs and a black beak.
Only the male birds show off these bright colors during the breeding season. Females and males not in breeding season look quite different. They have a duller brown and white feather pattern. This looks a bit like a song sparrow. When breeding season starts, the males change into their brilliant plumage. After the season ends, they lose these bright feathers. They then grow new feathers that look more like the females'.
Where These Birds Live
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The northern red bishop lives across a large part of northern Africa. You can find them in countries like Liberia, Mauritania, Guinea, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Kenya. They like to live in tall grasslands or farmed areas. These places are usually close to water and marshy lands. They can be found from lowlands up to areas 1000 meters high.
These birds were also brought to other parts of the world. In the 1960s, they arrived in Puerto Rico. Since then, they have been seen in many places in the West Indies. This includes islands like Martinique, Guadeloupe, Barbados, and Jamaica. They have also been reported in Cuba.
More recently, northern red bishops were introduced to parts of the United States. They now live in southern California, Texas, and Hawaii. In 1997, about 400 of these birds lived in Los Angeles and Orange counties in California. However, this number might have gone down. This is because some of their marshland homes have been lost. A small group of them also lives in Harris County, Texas.
Life and Habits of the Bishop Bird
Reproduction and Family Life
Male and female northern red bishops look different. This is called sexual dimorphism. Males are usually bigger than females. The males are famous for their bright colors and special displays. They use their bright orange and black feathers to attract females. During breeding season, the male's song is simple and doesn't change much. They might not sing at all when it's not breeding season.
Scientists have found that certain parts of the male bird's brain grow bigger during breeding season. This helps them control their songs. These brain parts are much larger in males than in females. Males often build nests for several females. They fly around, puffing out their bright feathers to impress them. Once a female chooses a male, he builds a round nest from grasses. The female then adds soft lining for her future chicks.
The males with the brightest feathers and the best nesting spots often have more chicks. This means looking good and having a good home are important for them. Females do all the work of raising the young. They sit on the eggs and feed the chicks. The males do not help with caring for or feeding the babies.
Nests are usually built from different grasses and reeds. They are hidden in marshy plants. In South Africa, a related bird lays 2 to 3 eggs at a time. The baby birds stay in the nest for about 14 to 16 days. The breeding season can start in May and end in November. It lasts from 2 to 6 months, depending on when the rainy season begins and ends. In California, these birds also lay 2 to 3 eggs. Their breeding season there is from August to November.
What Do They Eat?
Northern red bishops mainly eat grass seeds. But they also enjoy eating insects. Some of their favorite grass seeds come from plants like Echinochloa and Millet. They also eat water plants and cocklebur. In late winter and spring, you might see them at bird feeders. They usually look for food on the ground or among grass stems. They can catch insects both in the air and on the ground. When it's not breeding season, these birds often gather in large groups. They might even join other small birds like canaries.
Staying Safe: Predators
Not much is known about what animals hunt the northern red bishop. However, its close relative, the southern red bishop, builds its nests in thick reeds near water. This helps hide the nests from animals that might try to eat their eggs or chicks.
Bishops and People
Over the last 200 years, people have moved these birds to new places. This includes parts of the United States, like California and Texas. They were also brought to the Caribbean, such as Cuba. These birds have now made homes in these new areas. We don't know much about their role in different cultures. However, sometimes they are kept as pets. They are also known to visit bird feeders in neighborhoods. In some parts of Africa, these birds can be a problem for farmers. They sometimes eat crops like rice, sugar cane, millet, and maize.
Their Place in the World
The IUCN Red List helps us know which animals are in danger. It says the northern red bishop is doing very well. These birds are found in many places around the world. Their numbers are stable, so they are listed as "least concern." This means they are not currently in danger of disappearing. Scientists do not have an exact count of how many northern red bishops there are.
