Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah

Vidua obtusa

The Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah, Vidua obtusa, presents a striking figure, particularly during the breeding season. The male, resplendent with elongated tail feathers that sweep behind him, measures an impressive 31–36 cm in length. Outside of the breeding season, and in the case of females, the size is a more modest 14–15 cm. The male is further distinguished by a chestnut-orange patch gracing the nape of his neck.

Identification Tips

In breeding plumage, the male Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah is unmistakable with his long, broad tail feathers that end in rounded tips. When not in breeding attire, males and females alike exhibit buffy underparts and grey-brown upperparts with streaks. Their heads are adorned with black and white stripes. The immature birds resemble the females but have less distinct patterns and some feathers edged in buffy tones.

Habitat

This species favors woodlands and acacia savannas, including miombo and Baikiaea plurijuga woodlands, as its preferred habitats.

Distribution

The Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah is a resident of Sub-Saharan Africa, with its range extending from Angola to Uganda, Tanzania, and Mozambique. Its estimated distribution spans over 5,060,000 kmΒ², sharing approximately half of this range with the Long-tailed Paradise Whydah.

Behaviour

As a brood parasite, the Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah lays its eggs in the nests of the Orange-winged Pytilia, leaving the unwitting host to raise its young. The whydah is known to mimic the call of its host species. It is a sociable bird, often feeding on the ground in small flocks and consuming seeds. Outside of the breeding season, it may associate with flocks of the Long-tailed Paradise Whydah.

Song & Calls

The Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah skillfully mimics the calls of its host species, the Orange-winged Pytilia, as part of its parasitic strategy.

Breeding

Breeding males can be observed from February to July in the southeastern Congo Basin. The whydah's eggs are white and weigh around 1.6 g. The chicks are born with loose greyish down, closely resembling the chicks of their host species. The periods of incubation and nestling development remain undocumented.

Similar Species

The Long-tailed Paradise Whydah shares a portion of its range with the Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah and may be encountered in mixed flocks when neither is breeding.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah consists primarily of seeds, which it forages from the ground in small groups.

Conservation Status

With a wide distribution and a stable population trend, the Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Broad-tailed Paradise Whydahs on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Indigobirds, Whydahs

A photo of a Village Indigobird (Vidua chalybeata) , male

Village Indigobird

Vidua chalybeata
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Jake W
Great app
I use this app all the time as it’s quick and easy to log individual sightings or whole birding sessions. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and the forum is full of really friendly people. The challenges are a great way to get involved and learn more about birds. Cannot recommend it enough!
Patricia L
Very encouraging birding app
Easy to use, fun to see progress and encouraging to receive feedback from other users.
SuperOliviaGirl
Really great app
It’s easy to use and it’s fun to log the birds you notice on a walk or just in your garden. There’s a option to record the birds you see in a session which is really nice. Good excuse to stop for a while and just watch birds. I am also enjoying the information part where you can find out fact about birds from all over the world.
Birdafan
Ideal Birdwatch Companion
Simply adds to the enjoyment of my birdwatching and helps me record what I’ve seen.
Marlster24
Very Wholesome App
Joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter πŸ˜„
Tralisalandhoop
Fantastic app - Love it!
Love this app and have used it almost daily. Lots of species information and easy to use. Love seeing birds spotted by other users in the UK and worldwide.
Unbridled Discoveries
Great app for bird lovers
I love this app! It’s a wonderful way to track birding sessions, and also connect you with fellow birders. I also really like the unidentified bird section, it’s a great community tool to help figure out what a never-before-seen bird is!
Leonie
We've been waiting for an App like this
Excellent! We've been waiting for an app like this! Thank you! It would be nice if you could assign additional birds to sessions later!
Robred 2
Fun way to add to your birdwatching experience
I enjoy watching birds in my backyard, but this app helped me really pay attention while on vacation this summer. It was fun to add new birds to my bird watching app.
Safira V
Birding and wellbeing app
Birda is an excellent platform to share your love of Birding and is a great tool of encouragement for a Birding Beginner like me. Birda has a very kind and supportive community of Birding enthusiasts. For me BIRDA is not only a BIRDING but also a WELLBEING App.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright Β© 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.