loading...
A photo of a Shaft-tailed Whydah (Vidua regia), male
Shaft-tailed Whydah, Male

Shaft-tailed Whydah

Vidua regia

The shaft-tailed whydah or queen whydah (Vidua regia) is a small, sparrow-like bird in the genus Vidua. During the breeding season the male has black crown and upper body plumage, golden breast and four elongated black tail shaft feathers with expanded tips. After the breeding season is over, the male sheds its long tail and grows olive brown female-like plumage. The shaft-tailed whydah is distributed in open habitats and grasslands of Southern Africa, from south Angola to south Mozambique. It is a brood parasite to the violet-eared waxbill. The diet consists mainly of seeds. Widespread and a common species throughout its large habitat range, the shaft-tailed whydah is evaluated as least concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Birda logo
Download Birda for free and join the community of curious everyday people connecting with the natural world
Birda logo
Download Birda for free and join the community

Shaft-tailed Whydahs on Birda

Photos

Sightings

A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Esther Naude
Esther Naude
Monday 18 Sep 2023 - 8:37am
South Africa
A map showing the sighting location
🦉
Kelly Siderio
Saturday 15 Jul 2023 - 8:58am
South Africa
A map showing the sighting location
🦉
Kelly Siderio
Friday 14 Jul 2023 - 12:53pm
South Africa
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Ernst Retief
Ernst Retief
Sunday 21 May 2023 - 7:06am
South Africa
Connect with nature,
Find your flock
Copyright © 2023 Chirp Birding Ltd. All rights reserved.