Long tailed paradise whydah

Introduction: Mopane woodland, dry, open savannah with scattered bushes and trees such as Acacia woodland and rural gardens are the main habitats of the long-tailed paradise-whydah (Vidua paradisaea). This is a gregarious species with larger flocks of up to 100 birds common in the non-breeding season.

Distribution: Central and northern Namibia including Etosha National Park, Kavango River region and the Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip).
Diet: Forages on paths, roadsides and along tracks and other patches of bare ground for mainly grass seeds such as millet used for cattle fodder. Also eats insects such as earthworms, spiders and moths.

Description: Golden yellow nape and sides of the neck with a black head. Upper parts parts, tail and wing black.
Breeding: Breeds mainly in the nest of the green-winged pytilia. Females lay 3 or 4 eggs from January to June, incubated for around 11 days.

Size: 15cm. Breeding males 33 to 38cm including the tail.

Weight: 22g.