Photo: Hectonichus / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Sahel Paradise Whydah
Vidua orientalis
Sahel Paradise Whydah (Vidua orientalis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Sahel Paradise Whydah (Vidua orientalis) is a member of the Viduidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 18.5 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Viduidae Indigobirds, Whydahs
- Genus Vidua
- Species orientalis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 18.5 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Viduidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Sahel Paradise Whydah is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Sahel Paradise Whydah is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Sahel Paradise Whydah (Vidua orientalis) is a species of bird in the Viduidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF w, c, ne.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 18.5 g, with a wing length of about 7.5 cm and a tail of around 6 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 2.7 million km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Sahel Paradise Whydah?
The Sahel Paradise Whydah is a small bird that weighs around 18.5 g.
Where does the Sahel Paradise Whydah live?
The Sahel Paradise Whydah is found across Africa with a range covering AF w, c, ne, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Sahel Paradise Whydah belong to?
The Sahel Paradise Whydah (Vidua orientalis) belongs to the Viduidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Sahel Paradise Whydah eat?
The Sahel Paradise Whydah is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Sahel Paradise Whydah migrate?
The Sahel Paradise Whydah is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Sahel Paradise Whydah endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the Sahel Paradise Whydah's range?
The Sahel Paradise Whydah has a mapped global range of about 2.7 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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