Vidua macroura
This black and white brood parasite, with its red bill and long, wispy tail, is found in a variety of open habitats including savanna, grassland, scrub, parks and gardens. Its main host species is common waxbill but it is also parasitises orange-breasted and swee waxbills.
We first recorded this fiesty, little whydah in December 2009 while visiting our family in Ocean View on the south coast of KwaZulu Natal. It is a regular visitor to the garden’s bird bath during the summer months.
