From Opus

The tail of this male is not yet fully grown.
Photo by Max Holdt
Location: Windhoek, Namibia.

Alternative name: Queen Whydah

Vidua regia

[edit] Identification

The Shaft-tailed Whydah is a small, sparrow-like bird. 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 sheds its long tail and grows olive brown plumage similar to the female.

[edit] Distribution

Southern Africa: Southern Angola, Namibia, Botswana, southern Zimbabwe, northern South Africa and southern Mozambique.

Female Shaft-tailed Whydah
Photo by Max Holdt
Location: Windhoek, Namibia

[edit] Taxonomy

Monotypic.

[edit] Habitat

Open habitats and grasslands.

[edit] Behaviour

It is a brood parasite of the Common Grenadier. The diet consists mainly of seeds.

[edit] External Links