Nugget - our African Paradise Whydah

[Shirley]

I thought I'd introduce our African Paradise Whydah.

He is from Africa. They lay their eggs in other birds' nests. You can't raise them in captivity - the birds won't breed in captivity. They lose their tail feathers and look like ordinary sparrows about 3 times a year, and then look magnificent the other 3 times a year. He's not agressive at all, but is bigger than the other finches. He has a beautiful song when he's in full feather.

We named him Nugget for the bright yellow/gold patch on the nape of his neck. We'll have had him 3 yrs this June '05.

Here are some pics of him - first in full feather, 2nd as he looks right now. There doesn't really seem to be a rhyme or reason for his times for changing feathers!

He has 3 vertical feathers that are shorter on top, and two really long feathers that hang below.

http://shirleymorgan.com/misc/Whydah/Nugget6.jpg

http://shirleymorgan.com/misc/Whydah/Paradise-Whydah-Spanish-Timbrado-sm.jpg

http://shirleymorgan.com/misc/Whydah/Society-Whydah-sm.jpg

His brilliant bronze breast below!

http://shirleymorgan.com/misc/Whydah/Whydah-upclose-TT.jpg

And at the present...with our female Gouldian peaking around behind him.

http://shirleymorgan.com/misc/Whydah/949.jpg

http://shirleymorgan.com/misc/Whydah/950.jpg

There are other varieties of Whydahs, such as the Pintail Whydah. Not all are as community-friendly as the Paradise Whydah...so do some research before you acquire one. http://9.forumer.com/html/emoticons/bof/smile.gif Nugget has been a real joy in our finch aviary, which is in the dining room, next to Holly's cage, in front of the window.

[janelle12]

hey shirley, do you have a full tank..., er, aviary pic? ;)

[Shirley]

:funny: Yeah, sort of, I took a few just the other day.. I'l post soon.

don't have the Gouldians anymore. sold them to a good friend who has goulds.

[Jim]

That tail is amazing. I was so amazed I had to do some research and reading about that cool little bird.

A snip about the feathers from:
http://www.parrotparrot.com/articles/aa060901.htm

The whydah might look like a rather ordinary finch during the nonbreeding season, but when the males get full plumage and are ready to breed, they grow a very long tail. For example, the Paradise Whydah is only about 5 inches in length during nonbreeding times, and reaches 15 inches from head to tip of tail during breeding season. They lose the tail again at the end of the season. When the tail is in full plumage, they will shake it to attract the female.

Thanks Shirley, Nugget is pretty neat. I like him.:agree:

[Shirley]

Thanks, Jim! he really is a cool bird! And very much a community finch. So much so, that we got another male in June. With two, they get along fine, and at the moment, one is in full plumage and the other is not.

Their song is amazing ~ Very melodic and like an American songbird - warbly and beautiful.

[Jean]

I am so glad you are showing these for the newer members. His pics are always so beautiful :heart: and not often seen elsewhere.

Jim, I enjoyed reading the article. Thanks!


Thanks Shirley! :dance: