The straw-tailed whydah is a species of bird in the family Viduidae. It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Its natural habitat is dry savanna. Like all other whydah species, the straw-tailed whydah is a brood parasite.
Region
East Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs patchily across dry savannas and open acacia woodland in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Favors grassy areas with scattered shrubs and nearby seed sources, including lightly grazed pastures and fallows. Often found near human-altered landscapes such as farmland edges where grass seeds are abundant. Local movements track rainfall and seeding grasses.
Altitude Range
0–1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The Straw-tailed Whydah is a brood parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of small estrildid finches, and its chicks are raised by the unsuspecting hosts. Breeding males grow striking, long straw-colored tail streamers and perform conspicuous display flights to attract females. Like other viduines, males mimic the songs of their host species to court mates.
Temperament
solitary and territorial during breeding; loosely social in non-breeding flocks
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with buoyant, display-like flights
Social Behavior
Males display from prominent perches and perform aerial chases around females. The species does not build its own nest; females lay eggs in host finch nests. Pairs are not strongly bonded, and males may mate with multiple females. Outside the breeding season they may join mixed seed-eating flocks.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Males mimic the calls and songs of their host species, interwoven with thin trills and buzzy notes. Songs are varied and repeated from exposed perches, especially at dawn and during display flights.
