Alternative name: Long-tailed Paradise Whydah
- Vidua interjecta
Identification
These are stunning and improbable birds which are only a few months in breeding plumage, presumably the risk of predation is high as they share habitat with numerous raptors.
The very similar Sahel Paradise Whydah differs by the males having a tail length of only 2.5x rather than 3x the body length.
Distribution
Taxonomy
In limited studies to date, the genetic difference between Northern and Long-tailed Paradise-Whydahs is less than is observed in some single wide-ranging bird species. It may be that isolation of populations by breeding behaviour (song mimicry) is running ahead of genetic differentiation in the Paradise-Whydahs .
Habitat
Behaviour
The Paradise-Whydahs are brood parasites with this species parasitising the Red-winged Pytilia.
