Pin-Tailed Whydah in Portugal (1 Viewer)

wolfbirder

Well-known member

• Dec 13, 2018

• #1

One of the exotic Cat C birds apparently to be found somewhere in Portugal, according to a recent thread.

But I can't find any more information, which is surprising as these birds are just stunning.

North and south of Aveiro (Ria de Aveiro) is the only location I can find, and perhaps around Famalicao. All a bit vague.

Does this population still exist and does anyone have any more information?

 

Last edited: Dec 13, 2018

S

Simon Wates

Well-known member

• Dec 13, 2018

• #2

I'm not well informed but maybe a worth looking at this Flickr page - some locations mentioned and dates.

https://www.flickr.com/search/?group_id=26922203%40N00&view_all=1&text=Vidua%20macroura

 

S

Simon Wates

Well-known member

• Dec 13, 2018

• #3

Simon Wates said:

I'm not well informed but maybe a worth looking at this Flickr page - some locations mentioned and dates.

https://www.flickr.com/search/?group_id=26922203%40N00&view_all=1&text=Vidua%20macroura

Click to expand...

..and a bit more info here; http://www.avesdeportugal.info/vidmac.html

 

wolfbirder

Well-known member

• Dec 13, 2018

• #4

Thank you very much Simon, much appreciated.

Found this information: -

Where to observe

"The region of Aveiro is the only one where the species has been regularly observed, with numerous sightings along a range extending from Estarreja (including the area of Salreu.) to the south to the Mira area. In the rest of the country the species and much less frequent and its appearance appears to be sporadic, but there are plenty of records in the Ribatejo, particularly in the Torres Novas region".

 

Last edited: Dec 13, 2018

Atricapilla

Still Wandering

• Dec 13, 2018

• #5

Simon Wates said:

..and a bit more info here; http://www.avesdeportugal.info/vidmac.html

Click to expand...

Thanks Wolfbirder and Simon.
The quote is my local reserve and had no idea of the birds presence hereabouts.

 

DMW

Well-known member

• Dec 13, 2018

• #6

In the event that you are mad enough to consider travelling all that way for an escaped-cage-bird-once-removed, do bear in mind that the males only look stunning in breeding plumage. For the rest of the year they are pretty nondescript sparrowish things.

 

S

Steve Lister

Senior Birder, ex County Recorder, Garden Moths.

• Dec 13, 2018

• #7

Presumably they must parasitise the same species in Portugal as they do in Africa. One book I just checked simply says 'various waxbills'.

Steve

 

wolfbirder

Well-known member

• Dec 13, 2018

• #8

DMW said:

In the event that you are mad enough to consider travelling all that way for an escaped-cage-bird-once-removed, do bear in mind that the males only look stunning in breeding plumage. For the rest of the year they are pretty nondescript sparrowish things.

Click to expand...

I may do, I may not.

But yes its a male I'd like to see obviously, so time of year will be important.

Like to know if the population is tiny or fairly established.

 

Jos Stratford

Eastern Exile

Staff member

• Dec 13, 2018

• #9

DMW said:

For the rest of the year they are pretty nondescript sparrowish things.

Click to expand...

Pretty nondescript small sparrowish things that are pretty difficult to separate from other species of nonbreeding whydahs, hopefully no other escapees with them

 

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Dec 13, 2018

• #10

We saw them in Taiwan too.

Scroll to bottom of page, don't how well they're doing or if they could become a problem?

https://ebird.org/country/TW/media?yr=all&m=#pitwhy

 

Last edited: Dec 13, 2018

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Dec 13, 2018

• #11

Whyd'yah want to know?












(I'll get me coat)

 

wolfbirder

Well-known member

• Dec 14, 2018

• #12

Thanks both.

Truth is I'm a filthy twitcher and have found UK birding / twitching a bit restrictive last year or two and I enjoy my WP twitching a lot. I still regularly bird my local patch and enjoy that, for what it is. But there's nothing like seeing new species, even a Cat C introduced doesn't overly concern me. Have I got any scruples you ask? -.

I'm very unlikely to venture further abroad, so quite get my kicks seeing birds like this in European Countries.

It seems they are quite sporadic in Portugal though concentrated into a few areas.

Found this from Portugal thread back in 2012: -

"Vidua Macroura (Pin-tailed Whydah)
Occur in the Aveiro area, in several places:
Salreu
Tabueira
Forca
Best bet is probably Salreu, I suggest to ask for information in this forum:

http://www.avesdeportugal.info/links.html

The forum is in Portuguese but you can post in English.

There are several platforms for post bird observations, and that is the problem, the information is very fragmented, and some species like de Vidua are really under the radar…

You can try to search:
Ebird
And
http://birdlaa5.memset.net/worldbirds/portugal.php

you can also search the flick group :

http://www.flickr.com/groups/aves_de_portugal/
nice photos of Viduas".
*

 

Last edited: Dec 14, 2018