The red-cowled widowbird (Euplectes laticauda) is a species of bird in the weaver family Ploceidae. Red-cowled widowbirds are found in grasslands and bush clearings in East Africa. They are known for their long tails and brilliant red badges, both which act as sexual ornaments. They are often associated with other widowbird and bishop species. They are polygynous, where males acquisition of territory is an important determinant in their access to mates. Red-cowed widowbirds have a wide range and there is little concern in terms of conservation status.
The red-cowled widowbird was formerly considered as conspecific with the red-collared widowbird (Euplectes ardens). The species were split based on the substantial difference in plumage and the tail lengths of males when in breeding plumage.[2][3]
Two subspecies are recognised:[2]
The red-cowled widowbird (Euplectes laticauda) is a species of bird in the weaver family Ploceidae. Red-cowled widowbirds are found in grasslands and bush clearings in East Africa. They are known for their long tails and brilliant red badges, both which act as sexual ornaments. They are often associated with other widowbird and bishop species. They are polygynous, where males acquisition of territory is an important determinant in their access to mates. Red-cowed widowbirds have a wide range and there is little concern in terms of conservation status.
The red-cowled widowbird was formerly considered as conspecific with the red-collared widowbird (Euplectes ardens). The species were split based on the substantial difference in plumage and the tail lengths of males when in breeding plumage.
Two subspecies are recognised:
E. l. laticauda (Lichtenstein, MHC, 1823) – southeast Sudan, Eritrea and Ethiopia E. l. suahelicus (Van Someren, 1921) – central Kenya to north TanzaniaEuplectes laticauda[a] är en fågelart i familjen vävare inom ordningen tättingar.[1] Den betraktas oftast som en del av rödhalsad vidafink (Euplectes ardens),[3] men urskiljs sedan 2016 som egen art av Birdlife International, IUCN och Handbook of Birds of the World.[1] Den kategoriseras av IUCN som livskraftig.[1]
Fågeln förekommer i Östafrika och delas in i två underarter med följande utbredning:[4]
Euplectes laticauda är en fågelart i familjen vävare inom ordningen tättingar. Den betraktas oftast som en del av rödhalsad vidafink (Euplectes ardens), men urskiljs sedan 2016 som egen art av Birdlife International, IUCN och Handbook of Birds of the World. Den kategoriseras av IUCN som livskraftig.
Fågeln förekommer i Östafrika och delas in i två underarter med följande utbredning:
E. l. laticauda – högländer i östra Sydsudan, Etiopien och Eritrea E. l. suahelicus – högländer i Kenya och Tanzania