Even though it's clinging to a piece of bamboo I'm pretty sure this red and black ball of feathers isn't called a Bamboo Bird. Does anyone want to take a guess at its real name?
10 thoughts on “Bamboo Bird?”
Pamela
That would be a Red Bishop (Euplectes orix) otherwise known as Southern Red Bishop, (wish whoever keeps changing bird names would stop, I can’t keep up. Such crazy fluffy little things, or at least the males are, the females are rather more discreet. Lovely photo.
I don’t mind you being pedantic Steve. If you look at the larger photo you’ll see that they look like bamboo. That said… I’m not a botanist so I guess it’s possible that there’s a type of reed that looks much like bamboo.
Although, that said, on looking a second time I’m wondering if it’s a mixture of reeds and bamboo. Take a look at this pic.
No they are definitely reeds. Bamboo and and the reeds commonly found on South African waters are similar, both being segmented tubes. The reeds are more thin-walled though and can be easily flattened and split. The reeds also become quite brittle when dry while bamboo hardens and becomes more tough and wood-like. This page shows the difference between bamboo and reed fences. The pictures are clickable and pop-up bigger versions where the slight differences in appearance can be seen.
Pamela
That would be a Red Bishop (Euplectes orix) otherwise known as Southern Red Bishop, (wish whoever keeps changing bird names would stop, I can’t keep up. Such crazy fluffy little things, or at least the males are, the females are rather more discreet. Lovely photo.
Chris M
Beat me to it Pamela, Red Bishop came to mind immediately. Such a truly stunning bird, I’ve seen quite a few whilst fishing in lakes :)
Alex Bond-Smith
Red Bishop.
This is a male as they only get these colours in the mating season (Spring is in the air?!!).
Paul
Post authorAh, you guys make me feel so uneducated. I googled Red Bishop, and clearly you’re all right. :)
Chris M
Stunner of a bird, and a stunner of a photograph!
Paul
Post authorHa ha, I suppose there is that – thanks Chris, glad you like it. :)
Steve Crane
Being the pedant that I am I thought I’d mention that those are probably reeds, not bamboo.
Paul
Post authorI don’t mind you being pedantic Steve. If you look at the larger photo you’ll see that they look like bamboo. That said… I’m not a botanist so I guess it’s possible that there’s a type of reed that looks much like bamboo.
Although, that said, on looking a second time I’m wondering if it’s a mixture of reeds and bamboo. Take a look at this pic.
Steve Crane
No they are definitely reeds. Bamboo and and the reeds commonly found on South African waters are similar, both being segmented tubes. The reeds are more thin-walled though and can be easily flattened and split. The reeds also become quite brittle when dry while bamboo hardens and becomes more tough and wood-like. This page shows the difference between bamboo and reed fences. The pictures are clickable and pop-up bigger versions where the slight differences in appearance can be seen.
Paul
Post authorHa, cool, thanks Steve. I never realised that they look so similar!