Pin-Tailed Whydahs

Pin-tailed Whydahs have been seen and recorded in Singapore since 1986. It is a wonder how these exoctic birds landed here. They certainly are not able to fly here from their natural habitat in sub-Saharan Africa! So most probablt they have been introduced here either accidentally or deliberately. Nevertheless they have been able to strive here, especially in the northern-eastern coastal regions around Lorong Halus, Punggol Barat and more recently at Changi Bay Point, just opposite the Changi Exhibition Centre.

These birds are around 12cm but at breeding season, the male will grow a set of four long tails measuring around 20cm long. It is a sight to behold, watching the male perform its mating dance around the female. Sometimes this ritual will last for hours at end and over the course of many days before the actual mating occurs.

And when that happens, it just takes a few seconds and it's all over!