The fire-fronted bishop is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae. It is found in Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania.
Region
East Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs patchily across dry savannas, open grasslands, and acacia scrub from Somalia through eastern Kenya into northern Tanzania. Favors rank grass near wetlands, floodplains, and seasonal pans, and also uses cultivated fields and road verges. Often local and tied to areas with tall seeding grasses. After rains it may appear in newly flushed grasslands and fallow fields.
Altitude Range
0–2000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
This small weaverbird shows striking seasonal dimorphism: breeding males turn jet-black with a vivid fiery-red forehead and crown, then molt back to a brown, sparrow-like eclipse plumage after the season. Males perform buoyant display flights over tall grasses and often build several nest shells to entice females. The species forms flocks outside the breeding season and readily exploits irrigated farmland and grass seed after rains.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with bouncy display flights
Social Behavior
Outside the breeding season it gathers in small to medium flocks, sometimes mixing with other weavers and seedeaters. In the breeding season males become territorial in patches of tall grass or reeds and may be polygynous. Nests are woven ovoid structures suspended in grass clumps or reedbeds, with clutches typically of 2–3 eggs.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of thin, buzzy twitters and sibilant notes delivered during display flights or from prominent perches. Calls include sharp chips and dry trills used to keep contact within flocks.
Plumage
Breeding male is mostly black with a bright, fiery-red forehead and crown, sometimes extending onto the face and nape; wings are dark with brownish edges. Nonbreeding male and female are warm brown, heavily streaked above with paler underparts and a more subdued face pattern. Plumage is compact with a short tail typical of bishops.
Diet
Feeds mainly on grass seeds and agricultural grains, picking them from seed heads or the ground. Supplements its diet with small insects such as termites, beetles, and caterpillars, especially when feeding nestlings. Will also take flower buds and other small plant material when available.
Preferred Environment
Forages in rank grasslands, along marsh edges, in fallow fields, and at the margins of wetlands. Frequently feeds low in vegetation or on the ground and may exploit recently harvested or irrigated croplands.
