Euplectes axillaris
With a patchy distribution over sub-Saharan Africa, the Fan-tailed Widowbird inhabits wetter areas with tall grasses, reeds and papyrus (and also sugarcane fields). In South Africa they’re found mainly in Kwazulu-Natal, the Mpumalanga Highveld, Gauteng and the Eastern reaches of the Free State and Eastern Cape. They feed mainly on grass seeds and occasionally on termites and other insects. They’re often found in mixed company of other seed-eating birds. The IUCN lists the Fan-tailed Widowbird as being of least concern.
Male Fan-tailed Widowbirds are territorial in the breeding season, which spans spring and summer, weaving up to eight ball-shaped grass nests, with a side-entrance, in a tuft of grass or other dense vegetation, usually in marshy areas. They then attempt to attract and mate with as many females as possible, but have no further parental role. The female incubates the clutch of 2 or 3 eggs for 2 weeks. The chicks stay in the nest for less than 3 weeks, and accompany their mom for about another 2 weeks after fledging before becoming independent. Adults are about 15cm in length and 26g in weight, with males slightly larger than females.
DeWetsWild 
A striking species. I like how the pale bill offsets the dark plumage.
The male doesn’t seem to mind standing out!
Pikswart lyfie en spierwit bekkie – is dit nou nie net te mooi vir woorde nie!
Behoorlik uitgevat!
You must have a fine collection of bird photographs by now. I like the one of the female with grass in her beak.
I’m rapidly running out of photo space on the blog, Anne. I should actually start deleting the worst pictures to make more space, but even the worst photo’s have wonderful memories behind them…
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Fascinating to read about this, DeWets. There are so many similarities between this bird and our redwinged blackbirds … their appearance (including the red patch on the shoulders of the male), habitat, nesting, and even the males’ promiscuousness!☺️
It really is wonderful that birds that are actually no relation to one another have such similar lifestyle and appearance!
I was about to post the same comment! Very similar to a redwinged blackbird. Must have found a similar ecological niche albeit in a very different ecosystem.
I was so delighted to read your comment here, Adele, as it led me to your wonderful blog!
Nice contrast between the white bill and the red wing swatch. I thought of you several nights ago when we watched “Holiday in the Wild,” one of our favorite Christmas movies. The baby elephants are so cute!!
I’m still holding thumbs that you’ll have your very own Christmas in our South African wilds – complete with elephants – Janet!