Eastern Paradise-Whydah

Vidua paradisaea

Range & Recent Observations

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About the Eastern Paradise-Whydah

The long-tailed paradise whydah or eastern paradise whydah (Vidua paradisaea) is a bird in the family Viduidae of the order Passeriformes. It is a small passerine with a short, stubby bill, found across eastern and southern Africa from Ethiopia south to South Africa and west to Angola. It is mostly granivorous, and feed on seeds that have ripened and fallen on the ground. The ability to distinguish between males and females is quite difficult unless it is breeding season. During this time, the males moult into breeding plumage where they have a distinctive long tail. This can be up to three times longer than its own body or even more. Males are able to mimic songs where females can use that to discover their mate.

Source: Wikipedia

Classification

Scientific name: Vidua paradisaea
Family: Whydahs and Indigobirds
Order: Passeriformes

Similar species

Other members of the whydahs and indigobirds family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.

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