Long-tailed Widowbird (Euplectes progne) lives in grasslands wetlands across Southern Africa. It feeds on insects and seeds. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Long-tailed Widowbird
- Male long-tailed widowbirds are instantly recognisable in flight because six to eight of their twelve tail feathers each reach about half a metre, creating a striking silhouette. This extreme ornament adds considerable length to the bird, which can measure up to 71 cm when the tail is included. Their wings are relatively short, with a span of only 127-147 mm, so the tail dominates the visual profile.
- During courtship the male lifts his tail into a deep vertical keel that hangs beneath him as he flies low over his territory. He performs this display at heights of 0.5 to 2 metres, beating his wings slowly while the elongated tail remains expanded. The keel acts like a banner, making the male highly visible across the grassland while he defends his chosen patch.
- Experimental manipulation of tail length showed that females prefer tails longer than those found in nature. Males whose tails were artificially lengthened by 20-30 cm achieved the highest number of nests in their territories, outperforming both unaltered and shortened-tail rivals. The study confirmed that the exaggerated tail functions as a sexual signal rather than a tool for male-male combat.
- When rain falls heavily, long-tailed widowbirds often remain grounded because their spectacularly long tails become a serious aerodynamic burden. The male's six to eight tail feathers can reach about half a metre, adding a massive surface area that catches water and weight. In such wet conditions the birds are unable to launch into flight, effectively anchoring them to the grassland until the weather clears.
- Charles Darwin first proposed that females might choose mates based on ornamental traits, but his idea lacked empirical support for many decades. It was not until ninety years later that researchers finally tested the hypothesis using the long-tailed widowbird, turning the species into a landmark case in behavioural ecology.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeSouthern Africa
HabitatGrasslands wetlands
DietInsects and seeds
About the Long-tailed Widowbird
In the sun-drenched savannas of sub-Saharan Africa, the Long-tailed Widowbird unfurls its resplendent plumage, a vision of velvety black and golden yellow, as it struts with deliberate nonchalance across the grasslands. With each step, its extraordinary tail feathers, a cascade of silken threads, flow behind it like a dark bridal veil, a mesmerizing spectacle that belies the bird's otherwise unassuming nature. As it moves, the Widowbird's very presence seems to embody the essence of its wild and windswept domain, a masterful blend of elegance and rugged beauty.
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