MyKrugerHoliday
Photo: Renke Rommerskirchen · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source ↗
White-winged Widowbird
Witvlerkflap · Euplectes albonotatus
A grassland widowbird whose breeding male is velvety black with yellow shoulder patches and a striking white wing flash, plus a moderately long tail. He performs a slow, puffed-up display flight over tall grass. Females and non-breeding males are streaky and sparrow-like but keep a hint of the pale wing patch. It feeds mainly on grass seeds and insects.
Log your White-winged Widowbird sighting — free →How to identify it
Breeding male is black with yellow shoulders and a bold white wing patch; the moderate tail is shorter than other widowbirds'.
Listen for its call
Buzzy "zeh-zeh-zeh" notes during its slow display flight.
Where to see it in Kruger
Resident in rank grassland and weedy areas near water; males display with a slow, fluffed flight over the grass in summer.
Did you know
When the male flies, white patches flash on his wings like little signal lights blinking in the grass.
Often confused with
See it? Log it — free.
MyKrugerHoliday is a free, offline field guide and one-tap sighting log for a Kruger self-drive. No ads, no account, works with no signal.