Sahel paradise whydah

Sahel paradise whydah

Yellow-naped whydah, Northern paradise whydah

Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Vidua orientalis

The Sahel paradise whydah, yellow-naped whydah or northern paradise whydah (Vidua orientalis ) is a small songbird.

Appearance

The males in breeding plumage have black back and wings, with a rufous breast. The head is black, with a chestnut nape and a black bill. The dual-length ornamental tail feathers are black. These tail feathers can reach a length of 195–244 millimetres (7.7–9.6 in) and a width of 24–32 millimetres (0.94–1.26 in). Feet are dark grayish. When in eclipse (non-breeding) plumage, the males are similar to the hen, as they are tawny above with narrow mantle streaking. In females a dark line extends behind the eye. Juveniles are quite similar to the hens.

Distribution

Geography

Vidua orientalis is a resident breeding bird in west Africa. It lives in open acacia savannah with scattered trees.

Habits and Lifestyle

The Sahel paradise whydah does not build its own nests, but parasitises the green-winged pytilia, Pytilia melba, a common species of estrildid finch. These birds do not destroy the host green-winged pytilia's eggs, but they deposit their own eggs in the nests of their hosts, adding them to those already present. As in other whydah species to attract hens the songs of the males mimic the song of their hosts. These birds are not monogamous pairs, in fact males breed with many females. In a breeding season females may lay about 22 eggs, that hatch after 12–13 days of incubation. The diet of this species consists of seeds and grain.

Lifestyle
Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

Mating Habits

References

1. Sahel paradise whydah Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sahel_paradise_whydah
2. Sahel paradise whydah on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/103818583/111732146

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