Pin-tailed Whydah
Vidua macroura
A small, gregarious, and tame species that is found in wide variety of open habitats including agricultural fields, parks, and gardens. The glorious adult male is unmistakable with its long tail and bright reddish bill. In nonbreeding plumage, both male and female have streaks on the sides of the upper chest, a boldly striped head, an orange-pink bill, and dark legs. In breeding plumage, the bill of female is dusky. Juveniles are dull brown overall. Vocalizations include “zhweet, “chee-chee-chee-chee...” and a plaintive down-slurred “seeeeoooo” as well as various squeaky and buzzy twitters.
Identification
The pin-tailed whydah is 12–13 cm in length, although the breeding male's tail adds another 20 cm to this. The adult male has a black back and crown, and a very long black tail. The wings are dark brown with white patches, and the underparts and the head, apart from the crown, are white. The bill is bright red. The female and non-breeding male have streaked brown upperparts, whitish underparts with buff flanks, and a buff and black face pattern. They lack the long tail extension, but retain the red bill. Immature birds are like the female but plainer and with a greyish bill.
Taxonomy
The pin-tailed whydah was first described by the German naturalist Peter Simon Pallas in 1764 and given the binomial name Fringilla macroura.
- Scientific name
- Vidua macroura
- Authority
- (Pallas, 1764)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Viduidae
- Genus
- Vidua
Range and habitat
The pin-tailed whydah occurs in much of sub-Saharan Africa, favouring grassland, scrubs and savannah, also coming into parks and gardens. In Portugal it is established in the region around Aveiro, with observations occurring north and south of it. It has been introduced to southern California, with a sizable population existing there, as well as Puerto Rico and Singapore. It is also widely kept as a cage bird elsewhere, with occasional escapes and releases.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Swainson's Sparrow
Passer swainsonii
A drab sparrow of northeastern Africa. The head and underparts are gray, the wing and back are brown, and the rump is rufous. Generally common within its range in all habitats except closed-canopy forest. Fond of human habitation. Very similar to Northern Gray-headed Sparrow, but there is little overlap in range, and Swainson’s has darker underparts. Also very similar to Parrot-billed Sparrow, but slightly smaller and slimmer-billed, with paler underparts. The call is a ringing “churp.”
Madagascar Scops-Owl
Otus rutilus
Typical scops-owl, with small ear tufts that can be hidden, especially when roosting during the day. Color varies from gray to brown to rufous, with rufous birds more prevalent in the eastern rainforest. Inhabits both moist and dry habitats throughout Madagascar, including rainforest, dry deciduous forest, spiny forest, scrub, and plantations. Often found on day roosts in low tangles. Song varies geographically. In the east, it is a punctuated “tru-tru-tru…”. In the west it is a more rolling “trrr-trrr-trrr…”. Intermediate vocalizations can be heard in transitional zones, such as far northern Madagascar. Much smaller than all of Madagascar’s other owls.
Multicolored Tanager
Chlorochrysa nitidissima
Small stunning tanager with unbelievable color pattern: electric cerulean breast and flanks, black belly, green nape and wings, creamy back, golden face and throat, and black and chestnut ear patch. Sexes similar; females and young birds look duller than males. Uncommon in subtropical forests in the western and central Andes of Colombia. Typically found in pairs or small groups, often following mixed-species flocks. Visits fruit feeders.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.