Southern Red Bishop Bird Nest Photography

^{Be sure to click on the image to view full screen!}

Males _(especially in the bird kingdom)_ love to impress females, during mating season the Southern Red Bishop (Afrikaans: Rooivink) pull out all the stops, feathers transform into orange/red with black underbelly, resulting in a magnificent contrast of colours.

Now nest building is something to be tested, inspected the male can look as splendid, pleasing to the eye, if unable to pass building a strong, sturdy nest, he fails she will move on and find the next nest to test. He will normally build a few nests to attract females with his skills, no one really knows whether the females select to stay due to his building technique or whether they arrive randomly, it does appear female nest choice according to ideal free distribution in territories with highest number of available vacant nests at time of making a choice.

An oval shaped nest built between the reeds along river banks or dams, intricate weaving ensuring water and wind proof. Additional nests assist if accepted he could mate with three to eights females during breeding season, normally breeding takes place at the end of August going into Spring down South of the equator.