Red-collared Widowbird vs Fan-tailed Widowbird

The Red-collared Widowbird and Fan-tailed Widowbird are both striking birds, but they can be distinguished by their tail and plumage features. The Red-collared Widowbird has a more pronounced red collar and longer tail feathers, while the Fan-tailed Widowbird has a shorter tail and lacks the vivid red collar.

Look for the red collar in the Red-collared Widowbird, which is a key distinguishing feature. Check the tail length: the Red-collared Widowbird has longer tail feathers compared to the Fan-tailed Widowbird.

The Red-collared Widowbird is noted for its vivid red collar, which is absent in the Fan-tailed Widowbird. The Fan-tailed Widowbird has a more uniform black plumage without the striking red feature.