Vidua regia
The Shaft-tailed Whydah (Vidua regia) is a stunning member of the Viduidae family, renowned for the male's extraordinarily long tail during the breeding season. Males in breeding plumage are glossy black with a contrasting pure white belly and a distinctive cinnamon-rufous crown and nape, measuring approximately 12-14 cm (5-6 inches) in body length, with their central tail feathers extending an astounding 25-30 cm (10-12 inches) - often twice their body length. These four elongated, paddle-sh...
Found primarily in arid and semi-arid savannas, grasslands, and thornbush scrub, favoring areas with scattered acacia trees and tall grasses in Southern Africa. Typically found at low to moderate elevations.
Primarily granivorous, feeding almost exclusively on small grass seeds, which they glean directly from the ground or from seedheads.
Shaft-tailed Whydahs are diurnal, spending much of their active hours foraging on the ground or perching conspicuously during the breeding season. Males establish display territories, often perching atop prominent bushes or trees, where they perform elaborate aerial displays. These flights involv...
The Shaft-tailed Whydah is resident across a broad swathe of Southern Africa. Its primary distribution includes central and southern Angola, Botswana, Namibia, southern Zambia, Zimbabwe, and northern to eastern South Africa, extending into parts of Lesotho and Eswatini. These populations are gene...
Least Concern
- The breeding male's tail feathers can grow up to 30 cm (12 inches) long, making it one of the most disproportionately long tails in the bird world relative to its body size. - It is an obligate brood parasite, meaning it never builds its own nest, relying entirely on another species to raise it...