From Opus

Vidua macroura

Photo by Mybs
Location: Wetlands near Cape Town

[edit] Identification

12-13 cm in length, tail adds another 20cm to this. Adult male - black back and crown, and a very long black tail, dark brown wings with white patches, underparts, head, are white. The bill is bright red.

The female and non-breeding male - streaked brown upperparts, whitish underparts with buff flanks, buff and black face pattern. They lack the long tail extension.

[edit] Distribution

Africa south of the Sahara Desert; however, feral population from introduced individuals are sometimes found, e.g., in Puerto Rico.

[edit] Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species, however, a second subspecies arenosa is sometimes recognized.

[edit] Habitat

Open habitats including open woodland, scrub and cultivation.

[edit] Behaviour

It is a brood parasite laying its eggs in the nests of estrildid finches, especially waxbills. In South Africa, the primary host is Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild. In Puerto Rico, only introduced species are parasitized, none of the natives. 2-4 white eggs are added to those already present.

The diet includes seeds and grain.

[edit] References

1. Study of host species in South Africa

[edit] External Links