Shaft-tailed Whydah

The Shaft-tailed Whydah, or Queen Whydah (Vidua regia), presents a striking figure, particularly the male during the breeding season. With a black crown and upper body plumage, a golden breast, and four elongated black tail shaft feathers with expanded tips, he is a sight to behold. Outside of the breeding season, the male relinquishes his long tail and dons an olive brown plumage, resembling the female.

Identification Tips

To identify the Shaft-tailed Whydah, look for the male's distinctive long tail feathers and contrasting black and gold breeding plumage. When not in breeding season, males and females alike are dressed in more subdued olive brown tones, making them less conspicuous.

Habitat

This small, sparrow-like bird favors the open habitats and grasslands of Southern Africa, where it can be seen flitting about with grace.

Distribution

The Shaft-tailed Whydah ranges from southern Angola to southern Mozambique, a testament to its adaptability and resilience across various landscapes.

Behaviour

A notable behavior of the Shaft-tailed Whydah is its parasitic breeding strategy. It relies on the Violet-eared Waxbill to host its offspring, a fascinating example of nature's complexities.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Shaft-tailed Whydah is primarily seed-based, reflecting its adaptation to the grassland environment it inhabits.

Conservation status

The Shaft-tailed Whydah is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, indicating a stable population across its wide range.