Long-tailed Paradise Whydah

Afrikaans name: Gewone Paradysvink

A male Long-tailed Paradise Whydah

Photo © Steven Herbert

Vidua paradisaea

The Long-tailed Paradise Whydah is found in the north-eastern regions of South Africa and all the way up to Ethiopia.

This Whydah is normally found in savanna or woodland areas.

During summer the male Long-tailed Paradise Whydahs develop their long tails and they get their stunning breeding colours. During winter they have a drab brown plumage like the females.

The main food of this bird is grass seeds but they do eat a few insects as well.

The Long-tailed Paradise Whydah is a brood parasite. The female lays her eggs in the nest of a host species such as the Violet-eared Waxbill or Green-winged Pytilia.

References and further reading

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 322

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 35

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 35

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 115

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 288

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 218

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 271

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 82

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 224

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 312

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 413

LBJs - Author: Newman, Johnson, Solomon, Masterson - Published: 1998 - Page: 113

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 432

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 432

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 458

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 590

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 602

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 769

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 768

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 392

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 426

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 150

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 204

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 363

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 184

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds