E. macrourus macrocercus (below) See text Euplectes is a genus of passerine bird in the weaver family, Ploceidae, that contains the bishops and widowbirds.

It is believed that all birds in the genus are probably polygynous.

[1] The genus Euplectes was introduced by the English naturalist William Swainson in 1829 with the southern red bishop as the type species.

[2][3] The name combines the Ancient Greek eu meaning "fine" or "good" with the Neo-Latin plectes meaning "weaver".

[4] When choosing their mates, females within this genus will often choose males with longer tail lengths, even in species with comparatively shorter tail lengths.