---
title: "Red-collared Widowbird"
description: "Euplectes ardens — Birds. The red-collared widowbird (Euplectes ardens) is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae."
canonical: https://animalchecklist.com/animal/red-collared-widowbird
last_updated: 2026-09-20
---

# Red-collared Widowbird

> Euplectes ardens — Birds. The red-collared widowbird (Euplectes ardens) is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae.

- Scientific name: *Euplectes ardens*
- Category: `birds` (Birds)
- Habitats: `grassland` (Fields & meadows), `savanna` (Savanna)
- iNaturalist observations: 917
- Wikidata: [Q1304745](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1304745)
- iNaturalist taxon: [13978](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/13978)

## Names

- en: Red-collared Widowbird
- de: Schildwida
- es: Obispo Acollarado
- fr: Euplecte veuve-noire
- nl: Roodkeelwidavink
- pt: Viúva-de-colar-vermelho
- pl: Wikłacz półobrożny

## Countries with the most observations

ZA (632), ZW (36), MW (31), ZM (22), UG (20), AO (13), SZ (13), TZ (9), CD (8), MZ (7), GN (5), LR (4)

## Summary

The red-collared widowbird (Euplectes ardens) is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae. Red-collared widowbirds are found in grasslands and bush clearings in western and southern Africa. They are known for their long tails and brilliant red badges, both of 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-collared widowbirds have a wide range and there is little concern in terms of conservation status.

Text: Wikipedia (en), CC BY-SA 4.0 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-collared_widowbird

## Photo

![Red-collared Widowbird](https://animalchecklist.com/img/animals/red-collared-widowbird/medium.jpg)

Photo: Лариса Артемьева · CC0 · inaturalist — https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/329529944

## Machine access

`GET https://animalchecklist.com/api/v1/animals/red-collared-widowbird?lang=en` — see [openapi.json](https://animalchecklist.com/openapi.json).