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Broad-tailed paradise whydah

Broad-tailed paradise whydah

Wikipedia

The broad-tailed paradise whydah is a species of bird in the family Viduidae. It is found in woodland and acacia savanna habitat in Sub-Saharan Africa from Angola to Uganda, Tanzania and Mozambique. A brood parasite, it has a wide range and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed it as being of least concern.

Distribution

Region

South-Central and East Africa

Typical Environment

Occurs from southern DR Congo and Angola across Zambia and Malawi to Tanzania, Mozambique, and adjacent regions. It favors open woodland and acacia savanna, especially miombo and mopane mosaics with grassy understory. Often seen along woodland edges, thickets, fallow fields, and lightly cultivated areas where grass seeds are abundant. Local movements track rainfall and seed availability, and presence of host finches.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1800 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size12–15 cm (female and non-breeding male); up to 30–35 cm in breeding males including tail
Wing Span18–22 cm
Male Weight0.022 kg
Female Weight0.018 kg
Life Expectancy5 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 2/5

Useful to know

This brood-parasitic finch lays its eggs in the nests of estrildid finches and the chicks mimic their hosts’ calls and gape patterns. Breeding males develop spectacular, very broad tail plumes used in hovering display flights, which are molted after the season. Males also mimic the songs of their host species to attract mates.

Gallery

Bird photo
Bird photo

Behaviour

Temperament

solitary and territorial

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with hovering display flights

Social Behavior

Outside breeding, it forages in loose mixed seed flocks with other finches. It is an obligate brood parasite, laying eggs in host estrildid finch nests and providing no parental care. Courtship involves aerial displays and song mimicry near open perches.

Migratory Pattern

Partial migrant

Song Description

Males mimic the songs and calls of their host species, interwoven with high, thin trills and whistles. Calls are soft chips and tsit notes used in foraging groups.

Identification

Leg Colorblackish-grey
Eye Colordark brown

Plumage

Breeding male with a black hood and upperparts, warm buff to rufous breast, pale belly, and exceptionally broad, elongated tail plumes; non-breeding male and female are streaked brown and buff with pale underparts.

Feeding Habits

Diet

Primarily a granivore taking grass seeds, fallen seeds, and crop spillage. It also consumes small insects, especially during the breeding season for added protein. Foraging is mostly on or near the ground, picking seeds from stems and bare patches.

Preferred Environment

Feeds in grassy savannas, fallow fields, edges of cultivation, and open woodland with seeding grasses. Often associates with host finches and other small seedeaters.

Population

Total Known Populationunknown

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