Vidua obtusa
The Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah (Vidua obtusa) is a striking passerine renowned for its dramatic sexual dimorphism, particularly evident in the breeding male. During the breeding season, males transform from a drab, sparrow-like appearance into a spectacular black bird, sporting an exceptionally long, broad, and blunt-ended tail that can reach up to 30 cm, nearly tripling its body length of 12-13 cm. Distinctive field marks include the breeding male's glossy black plumage, a contrasting whit...
This whydah primarily inhabits savanna woodlands, open grasslands with scattered trees, and cultivated areas, often frequenting edges of human settlements, typically found at low to moderate elevations.
Primarily granivorous, feeding almost exclusively on small grass seeds, which it gleans from the ground and low vegetation.
The Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah is a classic example of an obligate brood parasite, never building its own nest but instead laying its eggs in the nests of specific host species, primarily the Green-winged Pytilia (Pytilia melba). During the breeding season, males engage in elaborate courtship d...
The Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah has a wide distribution across sub-Saharan Africa, primarily within the "miombo" woodland belt. Its breeding range extends from eastern Angola, southern Democratic Republic of Congo, and western Tanzania, south through Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and int...
Least Concern
- The breeding male's tail can grow up to 30 cm, making the bird almost three times its body length. - Broad-tailed Paradise Whydahs are obligate brood parasites, meaning they never build their own nests and rely entirely on other species to raise their young. - They specialize in parasitizing py...