Sahel Paradise-Whydah Vidua orientalis Scientific name definitions

13–14 cm, breeding male 30–31 cm; 15–27 g. Male nominate race breeding has black head, pale straw-coloured nape, black upperparts, black throat, brownish-red to dark maroon breast, yellowish belly; long tail black, central two feather pairs (T1, T2) twisted vertically to form a flag, T2 very long and broad from base nearly to tip (not tapered); iris dark brown; bill and legs black. Differs from V. paradisaea mainly in less long tail (appears less than three times wing length when fully grown), with rectrix T2 uniform in breadth along its length and pointed at end (not long and tapered throughout length). Non-breeding male is like female, but more strongly marked on head and breast, has whitish central crownstripe bordered by black stripe, white stripe above eye, light grey face with black eyestripe and black crescent around rear ear-coverts, a few dark streaks on buffish-brown breast; iris dark brown, bill grey with blackish culmen, legs grey. Female has pale buff central crownstripe bordered by dark brown streak, pale stripe above eye and dark brown streak through eye, face whitish-grey, indistinct dark crescent around rear ear-coverts, upperparts light brown with black streaking (feathers with blackish central shaft and light brown edges), wings brown, upperwing-coverts grey, whitish below, except for buff breast, hint of darker streaks on side of breast; tail brown, slightly graduated (central feather pair the longest), fresh outer feathers with white margin c. 1 mm broad; iris dark brown or reddish-brown. Female differs from that of V. paradisaea in lack of prominent dark cheek mark, from female V. interjecta in lack of red in bill and legs. Juvenile is plain grey above, rump grey, paler below, tail rounded to slightly graduated; iris dark brown, bill black, legs grey. Race aucupum differs from nominate in having nape noticeably darker, dark reddish-brown.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Grassy Sahel acacia (Acacia) savanna and woodland with scattered shrubs and open ground, sometimes with rocky pavement. Throughout range, occurs with Melba Finch host of red-lored race citerior and grey-lored jessei.

No information; flocks of non-breeding individuals and flocks of birds in partial breeding plumage just before and after breeding suggest local movements.

Small grass seeds, taken from ground and from termite (Isoptera) mounds. Forages on ground, alone or in small groups.

Mimics songs and calls of its host, Melba Finch (Pytilia melba). In W Africa songs of host and its mimic are "veet" followed by 2 or 3 plaintive slurred whistles (song shorter and simpler than that of Melba Finch in E & S Africa). Alarm "pik" and contact "see-eh"; also a non-mimetic wavery chatter, a rapid chatter, and a single "chuff".

Season Jul–Dec in Senegal, Nigeria and Sudan, fledged young fed by adult hosts in Jan in Gambia, and males in breeding plumage Dec–Mar in Mali. In courtship display, male flies over trees in open savanna, finally dives into top of tree and sings; not described in detail. Brood-parasitic, lays in nests of Melba Finch (as evidenced by song mimicry, and field observations of fledged young fed by adult of that species in Gambia). In captivity, lays in nests of Melba Finch and sometimes other estrildids: eggs plain white, incubation period 11–13 days, nestling skin dark, nestling period 16 days, moult to adult plumage begins by 6 weeks after fledging.

Not assessed. Probably not globally threatened. Fairly uncommon. Density in SE Niger in Sept 1·1 birds/km² in one year, 0·3 in another year.