Long-tailed Paradise Whydah

Gewone Paradysvink · Vidua paradisaea

A finch whose breeding male grows a magnificent broad, drooping black tail and shows a chestnut breast and buff nape. He flies with the long tail streaming behind in a heavy, undulating display flight. Outside summer, males moult into dull streaky plumage like the females. It is a brood parasite that targets the Green-winged Pytilia's nests.

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How to identify it

Breeding male is black with a chestnut breast, buff collar and very broad, long black tail plumes; non-breeding birds look like sparrows.

Where to see it in Kruger

Resident in thornveld and open woodland; breeding males display with their long tails over the bush in summer.

Did you know

When the male flies, his huge tail trails behind like a flowing black cape blowing in the wind.

Often confused with

Pin-tailed Whydah

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