Eastern Paradise-Whydah
Vidua paradisaea
Least ConcernAves · Passeriformes · Viduidae
About
The long-tailed paradise whydah or eastern paradise whydah is a bird in the family Viduidae of the order Passeriformes. It is a small passerine with a short, stubby bill, found across eastern and southern Africa from Ethiopia south to South Africa and west to Angola. It is mostly granivorous, and feed on seeds that have ripened and fallen on the ground. The ability to distinguish between males and females is quite difficult unless it is breeding season. During this time, the males moult into breeding plumage where they have a distinctive long tail. This can be up to three times longer than its own body or even more. Males are able to mimic songs where females can use that to discover their mate. However, there are some cases where females don't use songs to choose their mate but they use either male characteristics like plumage or they can have a shortage of options with song mimicry. Paradise whydahs are brood parasites. They do not destroy the host eggs that are originally there, but lay their own eggs alogside in the other bird's nest. Overall, these whydahs are considered least concern, based on the IUCN Red List of threatened species.
Fun Fact
Breeding male long-tailed paradise whydahs have black heads and back, a rusty coloured breast, a bright buffy-yellow nape, and white abdomen with broad, elongated black tail feathers that can grow up to 36 cm or more.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Found in grassland, savanna and open woodland where they live in bushed grassland around cultivation.
Diet
Feed on seeds that have ripened and fallen on the ground.
Lifespan
To be updated
Threats
- Habitat Change
- Human Disturbance