Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Pin-tailed Whydah

Walking regularly every day through the grasslands, I spot many grass birds. Among other I've been watching a Pin-tailed Whyday flitting ahead of us as we meander.

The Pin-tail Whydah is a common resident whose habitat is open savanna. It's also a brood parasite (meaning it lays its eggs in a host's nest and leaves it for that bird to hatch) whose primary host is the Common Waxbill. 

Nevertheless this morning I noted a female on the fence with the male flying in to display. I set my camera on sports function and snapped away. 

I'm linking to Wild Bird Wednesday here



7 comments:

  1. I so miss the Whydahs, weavers and bishop birds here though I guess the robin and the blue tits help to make up for it a bit. Hope you are well Diane

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  2. they are amazing, I haven't seen birds with long tails EVER... great shots

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  3. A great series of shots. he sure was keen to have her.

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  4. Well they are a most remarkable looking bird - and sports mode seems to have done they job. A well known web site seems to suggest that the long tail is found in 'breeding males' so maybe they are manufacturing a brood to leave for a Waxbill. Very good set of images.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  5. What an exotic bird! The acrobatics look a bit dangerous!!

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  6. Outstanding captures of this courting display.

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