The long-tailed paradise whydah or eastern paradise whydah is from the family Viduidae of the order Passeriformes. They are small passerines with short, stubby bills found across Sub-Saharan Africa. They are 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 molt into breeding plumage where they have one distinctive feature which is their long tail. It can grow up to three times longer than its own body or even more. Usually, the whydahs look like ordinary sparrows with short tails during the non-breeding season. In addition, hybridization can occur with these paradise whydahs. 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 plumages or they can have a shortage of options with song mimicry. Paradise whydahs are brood parasites. They won't destroy the eggs that are originally there but will lay their own eggs in other songbirds nest. Overall, these whydahs are considered least concerned based on the IUCN Red List of threatened species.
Region
Eastern and Southern Sub-Saharan Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs in open savannas, thornscrub, dry woodland edges, and lightly cultivated farmland. It avoids dense forest and true desert but benefits from weedy fields and grass seeding after rains. Often found near host species in bushy habitats with scattered shrubs and tall grasses. Local movements track rainfall and seeding grasses, with concentrations where food is abundant.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2400 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A brood parasite, it lays its eggs in the nests of waxbills, especially the Green-winged Pytilia, whose songs the male skillfully mimics to attract mates. In breeding season the male grows spectacularly long tail streamers that can be several times his body length, used in aerial display flights. Outside breeding season, both sexes resemble small, streaky sparrows with short tails.
Long-tailed paradise whydah foraging for seeds on the ground
Temperament
generally shy but active; males conspicuous in display season
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats; exaggerated, heavy display flights due to long tail
Social Behavior
Outside breeding, often in small flocks feeding on the ground. Polygynous males perform song-and-flight displays to visiting females. A brood parasite, it does not build its own nest and lays in host nests, where the host rears the chick. No egg destruction is typical; chicks mimic host begging calls.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Male gives varied phrases interwoven with precise mimicry of its host waxbills, especially Green-winged Pytilia notes. Calls include thin seeps and trills, with prolonged display sequences from perches and in flight.
Plumage
Breeding male has glossy black head and upperparts with a rich rufous to orange collar and underparts, and extremely elongated, drooping tail streamers; non-breeding male and female are brown, streaked above with buffy underparts and a short tail.
Diet
Primarily a granivore, taking fallen and ripening grass seeds and weed seeds. Will occasionally take small insects and other invertebrates, especially during the breeding season. Chicks are provisioned by the host species and receive a similar seed-heavy diet augmented by small arthropods.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mainly on the ground in open grassy patches, field margins, and along paths. Also forages in lightly grazed savanna and in scrub with scattered seed heads after rains.
