Long-tailed Paradise-Whydah
Vidua paradisaea
Acacia thornveld. Breeding male. Creamy-buff nape and underparts; rufous breast.
Whydahs
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Common resident. Distinctive plumage of breeding male (a) similar only to [Broad-tailed Paradise-Whydah], but differs in tapering tail-feathers; transitional plumage (b) frequently seen. Female and non-breeding male have bolder black-and-white head-stripes than (Pin-tailed Whydah). Has a short, sparrow-like song and utters an occasional ‘chit’. Small flocks occur mainly in thornveld. Breeding male has a display flight in which the two short tail-feathers are held erect cf. [Broad-tailed Paradise-Whydah]. Also hovers over females in slow, bobbing flight causing the tail to undulate. Parasitises [Green-winged Pytilia].
Quick Facts
Size
18-21 cm Breeding male 60cm S
Names
A: Gewone Paradysvink
Z: ibhaku lehlanze
G: Schopfadler
Bird Family
Small, ground-feeding, seed-eating finches that are brood parasites, laying their eggs in waxbill, firefinch, twinspot and pytilia nests. Male whydahs in breeding plumage have very long tails, different in all species, but when not breeding they resemble the confusingly similar females. At times males may be seen in transient plumage with traces of the breeding colours visible. Immatures are very plainly coloured and are probably indistinguishable.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Small 'flocks' occur mainly in thornveld.
