Whydahs and Indigobirds (Viduidae)

Long-tailed Paradise-whydah (Vidua paradisaea) - HBW 15, p. 221

French: Veuve de paradis German: Schmalschwanzwitwe Spanish: Viuda del Paraíso
Other common names: (East African/Eastern) Paradise Whydah, African/Acacia Paradise Whydah, Long-tailed Paradise Widow

Taxonomy: Emberiza paradisaea Linnaeus, 1758, Africa = Angola.
Formerly considered conspecific with V. obtusa, V. orientalis, V. interjecta and V. togoensis, and all sometimes placed in a separate genus Steganura. Molecular-genetic data, however, indicate that present species and V. obtusa are sister-species; not closest to V. orientalis, despite fact that the two are both song mimics and brood parasites of Melba Finch (Pytilia melba). Occasional hybridization recorded with indigobirds (species undetermined). Monotypic.

Distribution: SE Sudan, Ethiopia (absent Ogaden desert and E Bale), Somalia (W of 47° E), E DRCongo (Ruzizi Valley, in Kivu), E Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and from W & S Angola and S Zambia E to Malawi and Mozambique and S to C Namibia, C & SE Botswana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and N & NE South Africa.