The shaft-tailed whydah or queen whydah is a small, sparrow-like bird in the genus Vidua. During the breeding season the male has black crown and upper body plumage, golden breast and four elongated black tail shaft feathers with expanded tips. After the breeding season is over, the male sheds its long tail and grows olive brown female-like plumage.
Region
Southern Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs across arid to semi-arid savannas, thornveld, and open shrublands, often with patches of acacia and seeding grasses. Frequently found on the edges of cultivated land, fallow fields, and around waterholes. Avoids dense forests and true deserts but uses bushy drainage lines and lightly wooded grassland mosaics. Often associates loosely with flocks of waxbills and other estrildids.
Altitude Range
0–1800 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The shaft-tailed whydah is a brood parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of violet-eared waxbills, and the males mimic the host’s song to attract females. In the breeding season, males grow four spectacular elongated black tail shafts, which are shed after breeding. They perform fluttering, butterfly-like display flights over territories to court females.
Temperament
territorial during breeding; otherwise social in loose flocks
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with hovering display flights
Social Behavior
Polygynous males defend small display territories and court passing females with aerial displays. The species is a brood parasite that does not build its own nest; females lay eggs in the nests of violet-eared waxbills. Outside breeding, they may forage in small mixed groups with other finches.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Males mimic the calls and song elements of their host species, weaving them into varied phrases. Song is a mix of buzzy trills, thin whistles, and chattering notes delivered from perches or during fluttering display flights.
Plumage
Breeding male with black crown and upperparts, rich golden to buff breast, paler belly, and four elongated black tail shaft feathers with expanded tips; non-breeding male and female are olive-brown above with streaking and buffy underparts.
Diet
Primarily seeds from grasses and forbs, taken on or near the ground. Supplements diet with small insects such as termites and beetles, especially during the breeding season. Will also glean seed heads directly from standing grasses.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in open grassy patches, along tracks, field margins, and around water points where grasses seed. Often forages near low shrubs or thornbush that provide quick cover.
