Digging deep into the genus Euplectes
This webinar explores what Bishops and Widows have to teach us. It is part of a series delving into how to create a better understanding of birds leading to an improved birding experience.
The genus Euplectes belongs to the weaver family, the Ploceidae, and comprises the bishops and widowbirds. All 17 species of Euplectes are native to sub-Saharan Africa, and are well represented in South Africa. All members of this genus have colourful males, and more drab, brown, well camouflaged females. Males take on their breeding plumage during a spring or early summer moult, losing their colourful plumage at the end of the breeding season, taking on the drabber colours of the females. In most of the widowbirds, the males also develop a significantly longer tail than their nonbreeding selves or females possess. The genus has much to teach us about the biology of birds, and in particular, the role of the competing selection pressures in avian evolution. We make use of this genus to delve into these concepts in a simple and easy to understand way.
This is a joint initiative between Learn-the-Birds and the Witwatersrand Bird Club.
Organizer
Derek was biology professor for over 20 years, and discovered several species new to science (not birds, alas), and even has a species named after him. His studies have encompassed ecology, systematics and phylogeny, as well as technology in education. He has published around 80 academic papers, and more than 100 magazine articles in which he has brought science and nature to lay persons. He has also been a university Deputy Vice Chancellor, held various technology roles in university and business, and is a technology geek. Derek is an accomplished nature photographer on land and under water, with his photos appearing in over 20 books, hundreds of magazines, several mobile apps, and museum exhibits. Today he works in FinTech, but prefers to spend time photographing birds and unravelling their stories so he can re-tell them to humans. He is co-founder and looks after the technology and arrangements for Learn-the-Birds.