The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Long-tailed Paradise Whydah
Afrikaans name: Gewone Paradysvink
A male Long-tailed Paradise Whydah
Photo © Steven Herbert
Vidua paradisaea
The Long-tailed Paradise Whydah is found in the north-eastern regions of South Africa and all the way up to Ethiopia.
This Whydah is normally found in savanna or woodland areas.
During summer the male Long-tailed Paradise Whydahs develop their long tails and they get their stunning breeding colours. During winter they have a drab brown plumage like the females.
The main food of this bird is grass seeds but they do eat a few insects as well.
The Long-tailed Paradise Whydah is a brood parasite. The female lays her eggs in the nest of a host species such as the Violet-eared Waxbill or Green-winged Pytilia.
Roberts Birds Names by Edition
| Edition | Roberts nr | Scientific name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 852 | Steganura paradisea |
| 2nd | 852 | Steganura paradisaea |
| 3rd | 852 | Steganura paradisaea |
| 4th | 852 | Steganura paradisaea |
| 5th | 862 | Vidua paradisaea |
| 6th | 862 | Vidua paradisaea |
| 7th | 893 | Vidua paradisaea |
| Edition | Roberts nr | English name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 852 | Paradise Widow Bird |
| 2nd | 852 | Paradise Whydah |
| 3rd | 852 | Paradise Whydah |
| 4th | 852 | Paradise Whydah |
| 5th | 862 | Paradise Whydah |
| 6th | 862 | Paradise Whydah |
| 7th | 893 | Long-tailed Paradise Whydah |
| Edition | Roberts nr | Afrikaans name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 852 | Paradys-vink |
| 2nd | 852 | Paradysvink |
| 3rd | 852 | Paradysvink |
| 4th | 852 | Paradysvink |
| 5th | 862 | Gewone Paradysvink |
| 6th | 862 | Gewone Paradysvink |
| 7th | 893 | Gewone Paradysvink |
References and further reading
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 184The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 363
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 392
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 426
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 150
Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 204
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 768
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 769
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 602
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 590
Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 336
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 458
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 432
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 432
Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 413
LBJs - Author: Newman, Johnson, Solomon, Masterson - Published: 1998 - Page: 113
Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 312
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 224
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 82
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 271
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 218
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 288
Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 115
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 35
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 35
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 322
This website features affiliate links, meaning we’ll earn a small commission if you purchase through these links.
Copyright Steven Herbert Projects, 2013 - 2024. All rights reserved.