Wakkerstroom, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa July 22, 2007. Formerly called Long-tailed Widow, the name comes from the black plumage of the male. This is another Euplectes in which the males have a spectacular black and red plumage during the breeding season, but wear a more nondescript female-like plumage during the non-breeding season. However, even in winter, the males show a red patch on their lesser coverts as in this photo. This wing pattern may remind North Americans of the familiar Red-winged Blackbird. Like the Red-winged Blackbird, this species is polygynous with breeding males attracting up to five females in his territory. Unlike male Red-winged Blackbirds, the male Widowbird builds "bowers" which consist a rudimentary nest-frame. The females either complete the bower into a nest or build their own nest from scratch. Three subspecies differing slightly in tail length and bill color are recognized. Each has a completely disjunct range. South African birds are nominate E. p. progne. Panasonic DMC-LZ5 / Nikon FS 3 / 30XWA / hand-held, no adapter.