Pin-Tailed Whydah
Vidua macroura
Also known as: Pin-Tailed Widow
Habitat
Ground
Diet
PlantSeed
Active Time
Diurnal
Size
16 g
About This Species
Breeding males of this African species are unmistakable, trailing long black tail plumes as they display low over open grassland and cultivated land, often flushing from the ground where they forage for seeds. Outside the breeding season males lose the long tail and both sexes become far less conspicuous, feeding in small flocks on bare ground or short grass. The breeding season, when males are displaying and calling, is by far the easiest time to identify and enjoy this species.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Observing from 10-15 metres with binoculars avoids disrupting display flights or ground feeding.
- Wildlife protection law differs across the many African countries within its range, so check local regulations rather than assuming a single standard applies, and take particular care not to disturb displaying males repeatedly, since this can interrupt breeding behaviour.
- As a brood parasite of other finches, avoid interfering with any nests in the vicinity where its eggs or chicks might be present.
Seasonal Activity
242,218 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Viduidae
Traits
- Diet
- PlantSeed
- Foraging
- Ground
- Activity
- Diurnal
- Body mass
- 16 g
Photo
(c) James M. Maley, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by James M. Maley
CC-BY-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.