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Long-Tailed Paradise Whydah? (Botswana) (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter michael-ibk
- Start date
Hi Michael,
The bill seems to be pale (i.e. not red (Shaft-tailed) or black (Long-tailed, even juvenile it seems)), and the legs dark (i.e. not red (Shaft-tailed)). The face is marked (Shaft-tailed female markings are not strong) but not black (like Long-tailed female on the face).
Of the three vidua possibilities in the area, I therefore think this best fits female Pin-tailed Whydah.
We saw Pin-tailed (male) at Mahangu in the Caprivi Strip, so I don't see why you wouldn't see it at Khwai which is not far at all.
But this is just what I would have thought if it were my own photo. Maybe someone with more experience will have a more confident opinion than me. It's difficult to know about regional variation - for example Pin-tailed females in east Africa seem to have darker bills judging from the books, and my experience in east Africa, but the Sasol guide specifically highlights the pale bill of the female in southern Africa.
The bill seems to be pale (i.e. not red (Shaft-tailed) or black (Long-tailed, even juvenile it seems)), and the legs dark (i.e. not red (Shaft-tailed)). The face is marked (Shaft-tailed female markings are not strong) but not black (like Long-tailed female on the face).
Of the three vidua possibilities in the area, I therefore think this best fits female Pin-tailed Whydah.
We saw Pin-tailed (male) at Mahangu in the Caprivi Strip, so I don't see why you wouldn't see it at Khwai which is not far at all.
But this is just what I would have thought if it were my own photo. Maybe someone with more experience will have a more confident opinion than me. It's difficult to know about regional variation - for example Pin-tailed females in east Africa seem to have darker bills judging from the books, and my experience in east Africa, but the Sasol guide specifically highlights the pale bill of the female in southern Africa.
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I agree with your assessment, MacNara. Pin tailed Whydah female does appear to fit the best.
michael-ibk
Well-known member
Many thanks MacNara and Andy Hurley, I initially excluded Pin-Tailed because I found some pictures which show the female with a much more reddish bill but it shold be black when breeding (as in February). And the Roberts app also states the bill colour is very variable. And Pin-Tailed is definitely there. While Shaft-Tailed is the default species I did see at least one (gorgeous) male in Moremi.