Alternative name: Long-tailed Paradise-Whydah
- Vidua paradisaea
Identification
Breeding male
- Black back and head
- Rust brown breast
- Yellow nape
- White belly
- Long (36cm) black tail feathers
Non breeding male
- Brown
- Black streaked head
Female
- Grey above with black streaks
- Brown head
- Pale grey breast
- White belly
Distribution
Africa
Western Africa: Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola
Eastern Africa: Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi
Southern Africa: Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal and eSwatini
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Fresh water lakes, mixed woodland, Acacia savanna and dry open woodland.
Behaviour
Breeding
It is a brood parasite to the Green-winged Pytilia; laying 3-4 eggs.
Diet
The diet includes grass seeds, grain and grubs.
References
- Clements, JF. 2011. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to August 2011. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
- Avibase
- EzineArticles
- Wikipedia
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Eastern Paradise Whydah. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 11 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Eastern_Paradise_Whydah
