Where to see the Shaft-tailed Whydah in South Africa

Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Shaft-tailed Whydah at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Madikwe Game Reserve and Marakele National Park. A record means a host has seen it on the property or nearby, which makes these the places to base yourself; it is never a guarantee of a sighting on any given day.

The Shaft-tailed Whydah is most recorded in Northern Cape (42% of records), Limpopo (32% of records), North West (21% of records), based on 248 iNaturalist observations. 19 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Shaft-tailed Whydah on site or nearby.

Sightings of the Shaft-tailed Whydah peak from Dec to Mar, based on 248 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.

The shaft-tailed whydah or queen whydah (Vidua regia) is a small, sparrow-like bird in the genus Vidua. During the breeding season the male has black crown and upper body plumage, golden breast and four elongated black tail shaft feathers with expanded tips. After the breeding season is over, the male sheds its long tail and grows olive brown female-like plumage.