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(Picture of perched male) |
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− | [[Image: | + | [[Image:LANGSTERTFLAP 1.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Male<br />Photo by {{user|DARKROOM+IMAGES|DARKROOM IMAGES}}<br />]] |
;[[:Category:Euplectes|Euplectes]] progne | ;[[:Category:Euplectes|Euplectes]] progne | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
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==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
[[Africa]]: Three separate populations: One in the [[Kenya]]n highlands, one from [[Angola]], northern [[Zambia]] and extreme southern [[Democratic Republic of Congo]], and another from eastern [[South Africa]], [[Lesotho]], western [[Swaziland]] and extreme south-eastern [[Botswana]]. | [[Africa]]: Three separate populations: One in the [[Kenya]]n highlands, one from [[Angola]], northern [[Zambia]] and extreme southern [[Democratic Republic of Congo]], and another from eastern [[South Africa]], [[Lesotho]], western [[Swaziland]] and extreme south-eastern [[Botswana]]. | ||
− | [[Image:2007_10_27_Female_Long-tailed_Widow.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Female <br />Photo by {{user|Alan+Manson|Alan Manson}} <br /> | + | [[Image:2007_10_27_Female_Long-tailed_Widow.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Female <br />Photo by {{user|Alan+Manson|Alan Manson}} <br />[[Midmar]], [[KwaZulu-Natal]], [[South Africa]], October 2007]] |
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
Each of the three populations is recognised as a subspecies: | Each of the three populations is recognised as a subspecies: | ||
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*''E. p. progne'' | *''E. p. progne'' | ||
:*[[South Africa]], [[Lesotho]], western [[Swaziland]] and extreme south-eastern [[Botswana]] | :*[[South Africa]], [[Lesotho]], western [[Swaziland]] and extreme south-eastern [[Botswana]] | ||
+ | [[Image:Long-tailed_Widowbird.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Male displaying<br />Photo by {{user|Charlie+M|Charlie M}} <br />Near Johannesburg, [[South Africa]], October 2004]] | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Open tall grassland, usually in valleys. | Open tall grassland, usually in valleys. | ||
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====Breeding==== | ====Breeding==== | ||
Polygynous and territorial; up to five females per breeding male. The nest is thick-walled, oval structure of woven grass and has a side-top entrance. One to four eggs are incubated for 12-14 days by the female. The nestling period is about 17 days. Sometimes parasitised by [[Dideric Cuckoo]]. | Polygynous and territorial; up to five females per breeding male. The nest is thick-walled, oval structure of woven grass and has a side-top entrance. One to four eggs are incubated for 12-14 days by the female. The nestling period is about 17 days. Sometimes parasitised by [[Dideric Cuckoo]]. | ||
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==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Euplectes+progne}} | {{GSearch|Euplectes+progne}} | ||
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Euplectes]] | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Euplectes]] |
Revision as of 02:06, 5 March 2010
- Euplectes progne
Identification
Length 16-19 cm (breeding male 60 cm), mass 25-46 g. The largest widowbird.
The breeding male unmistakeable with its long tail, broad black wings and red-and-white shoulders.
Distribution
Africa: Three separate populations: One in the Kenyan highlands, one from Angola, northern Zambia and extreme southern Democratic Republic of Congo, and another from eastern South Africa, Lesotho, western Swaziland and extreme south-eastern Botswana.
Taxonomy
Each of the three populations is recognised as a subspecies:
- E. p. delamerei
- E. p. ansorgei
- Angola, northern Zambia and extreme southern Democratic Republic of Congo
- E. p. progne
- South Africa, Lesotho, western Swaziland and extreme south-eastern Botswana
Habitat
Open tall grassland, usually in valleys.
Behaviour
Forages in flacks on the ground, mainly for seeds, but also eats invertebrates.
Breeding
Polygynous and territorial; up to five females per breeding male. The nest is thick-walled, oval structure of woven grass and has a side-top entrance. One to four eggs are incubated for 12-14 days by the female. The nestling period is about 17 days. Sometimes parasitised by Dideric Cuckoo.