acrylic on panel 10” x 8” $2,000. The genus Vidua contains 19 species of small finches that are distributed widely across the African continent. In ten species the breeding males are shiny black with short tails. These are called indigobirds. In the remaining nine species the breeding males have long ornate tails. These birds are called whydahs. All of these birds are brood parasites of finches of the family Estrildidae. The Long-tailed Paradise Whydah (V. paradisaea) commonly inhabits savannas, cultivated areas and gardens, and forest and river edges from South Sudan to Southern Angola. The brown streaked female lays 2-4 white eggs in the roofed nest of a finch of the genus Estrilda or Pytilia. |
