adult breeding male with long tail (California, USA; 2011-08-18)


Pin-tailed Whydah
Vidua macroura

Native Range: Africa

Notes: like othe whydahs, this species is an interspecific brood parasite, meaning that it lays eggs in the nests of other species (typically waxbills in this case) and leaves progeny-rearing to the duped foster parents; although native to Africa, pet-store escapees may have established small populations in southern California in the USA (where it is uncertain what if any other species might serve as its host).


young or perhaps molting male with shorter tail (South Africa; 2007-06-30)

female; red bill, streaked back, white below (California, USA; 2011-08-18)

female; pronounced head stripes (South Africa; 2007-07-04)