- Vidua regia
aka Shaft-tailed Whydah. Photo taken in Windhoek, Namibia
Identification
The Queen Whydah, Vidua regia also known as Shaft-tailed 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 breeding season is over, the male shed its long tail and grow olive brown female-like plumage.
Distribution
The Queen Whydah is distributed to Southern Africa, from south Angola to south Mozambique.
Taxonomy
Habitat
Open habitats and grasslands
Behaviour
It is a brood parasite to the Common Grenadier. The diet consists mainly of seeds.