Shaft tailed Whydah (Vidua regia)

Lillian was só excited this afternoon, she said this little bird was dancing for me with my camera! It was flying high in the sky, performing all sorts of manoeuvres, I could not believe my eyes!

I wish I could post a video for you to appreciate it!! I took lóts of shots, none of a great quality, but I just have to show you, so this will have to do! He is actually very small and 'danced' quite high up in the sky, this is really the best I could do!

I posted another one here, please have a look, you can see more of his beautiful little body here!!

Then, when I downloaded my pictures, I got the surprise of my life!! He was dancing for this beautiful little female high up in the tree!!

According to Wikipedia they grow this four elongated black tail shaft feathers with expanded tips during breeding season and just shed them again after breeding season and then grow olive brown female like plumage! Isn't that amazing?

Read more about the species here! ! It is só interesting to read about their nesting habits etc.!!