Whydah

Whydah

There are approximately 11 species of whydah birds. This otherwise ordinary bird becomes quite extraordinary during breeding season when the male whydah grows extremely long tail feathers. The common pin-tailed whydah, which is found throughout Africa, can reach 15 inches in length, of which two-thirds is tail. The plumage during breeding season is black and white. Outside of breeding season the whydah bird is rather drab. The female whydah lays her eggs in the nest of the weaver finch. Whydahs are found in the warm open savannas and plains of Africa. [BM] {FW}