Eastern Paradise Whydah

Taxobox
name = Eastern Paradise Whydah
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1


image_width = 240px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Passeriformes
familia = Viduidae
genus = "Vidua"
species = "V. paradisaea"
binomial = "Vidua paradisaea"
binomial_authority = (Linnaeus, 1758)The Eastern Paradise Whydah, "Vidua paradisaea" is a small brown sparrow-like bird of Eastern Africa, from east Sudan to south Angola. During the breeding season the male molts into breeding plumage that consists of a black head and back, rusty brown breast, bright yellow nape, and buffy white abdomen with broad, elongated black tail feathers up to 36cm long (approximately three times the length of its body). Males and females are almost indistinguishable outside of the breeding season.

It is a brood parasite to the Green-winged Pytilia. Male Eastern Paradise Whydahs imitate the song of the male Green-winged Pytilia. The whydah chicks are larger and louder than the host chicks, so the foster parents will give them more attention instead their own chicks.

Although difficult to breed in captivity because of their brood parasitic nature, these finches, particularly the males, are sold as pets in the United States and other countries. When breeding these birds in captivity, a single male is usually given access to multiple females and each female needs access to multiple active Green-winged Pytilia nests.

Widespread throughout its large range, the Eastern Paradise Whydah is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

References

* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern

External links

* [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=8752&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet]
* [http://www.redlist.org/search/details.php?species=53384 IUCN Red List]