The long-tailed widowbird is a species of bird in the weaver family Ploceidae. The species is found in Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Lesotho, South Africa, Eswatini, and Zambia. The long-tailed widowbird is a medium-sized bird and one of the most common in the territories it inhabits. Adult breeding males are almost entirely black with orange and white shoulders ("epaulets"), long, wide tails, and a bluish white bill. Females are rather inconspicuous, their feathers streaked tawny and black with pale patches on the chest, breast and back, narrow tail feathers, and horn-coloured bills.
Region
Southern and East Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs across grasslands, savannas, and marshy meadows in countries including South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana, Zambia, Angola, the DRC, and Kenya. Prefers tall, rank grasses near wetlands, vleis, or damp pastures where nesting sites and food are abundant. Outside the breeding season it frequents agricultural fields and roadside verges, often gathering in mixed flocks. It is largely resident with local movements following rainfall and grass seeding.
Altitude Range
0–2200 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Breeding males grow extremely long, flowing tails—often doubling overall length—that are used in slow display flights over territories. Classic experiments showed females prefer males with longer tails, making this species a textbook example of sexual selection. Males are polygynous and may attract several females to nest within their territories.
Three male long-tailed widowbirds, showing breeding and non-breeding plumage
Shoulder epaulet of breeding male
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
displaying males fly slowly with deep wingbeats and trailing tail; otherwise low, direct flights with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Highly polygynous: a territorial male courts multiple females within his grassland territory. Nests are woven low in tall grasses or sedges; the female builds the nest and undertakes most incubation and chick-rearing. Outside the breeding season they form flocks, often with other weavers, and roost communally in reedbeds or dense grasses.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Calls are harsh, buzzy notes and chatters given from perches or during display flights. The song is a simple series of wheezy, scratchy phrases rather than a melodious warble.
