Photo: DickDaniels (https://carolinabirds.org/) / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Marsh Widowbird
Euplectes hartlaubi
Marsh Widowbird (Euplectes hartlaubi) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Marsh Widowbird (Euplectes hartlaubi) is a member of the Ploceidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 35.5 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Ploceidae Weavers, Widowbirds
- Genus Euplectes
- Species hartlaubi
Quick facts
- Weight
- 35.5 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Ploceidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Marsh Widowbird is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Marsh Widowbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Marsh Widowbird (Euplectes hartlaubi) belongs to the Ploceidae family of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF c.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 35.5 g, with a wing length of about 10.2 cm and a tail of around 13 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 741,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Marsh Widowbird?
The Marsh Widowbird is a small bird that weighs around 35.5 g.
Where does the Marsh Widowbird live?
The Marsh Widowbird is found across Africa with a range covering AF c, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Marsh Widowbird belong to?
The Marsh Widowbird (Euplectes hartlaubi) belongs to the Ploceidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Marsh Widowbird eat?
The Marsh Widowbird is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Marsh Widowbird migrate?
The Marsh Widowbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Marsh Widowbird endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Marsh Widowbird make?
1 real field recording of the Marsh Widowbird — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Marsh Widowbird's range?
The Marsh Widowbird has a mapped global range of about 741,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
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