Yellow Bishop

Overview

The yellow bishop, Euplectes capensis, is a common weaver species also known as the Cape bishop or yellow-rumped widow. It is a resident breeding Afromontane bird found in less arid vegetated areas across its range.

Identification

• Stocky body approximately 15 cm long with a thick conical bill and short tail.
• Breeding males are black with bright yellow lower back, rump, and shoulder patches, plus brown wing feather edging.
• Non-breeding plumage is heavily streaked buffy-brown with a pale bill, retaining yellow shoulder and rump patches.
• Females and juveniles lack contrasting colour patches and are notoriously difficult to distinguish from other bishops and widowbirds.
• Calls include 'zeet zeet zeet' and a harsh 'zzzzzt' from males in flight.

Habitat

Occupies less arid vegetated environments such as fynbos, moist grassland, and bracken-covered valleys. Altitudes range from sea level up to the Ethiopian Highlands.

Diet

Feeds on seeds, grain, and some insects.

Did you know?

The song of the isolated southwestern Cameroon subspecies differs significantly from the norm, consisting of a dry rattle followed by a 'swit-err, swit-err' phrase.