Pin-tailed Whydah (Vidua macroura) is in the Indigobirds and Whydahs family (Viduidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 3,201 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in September.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Pin-tailed Whydah: observations by month (U.S.)
About Pin-tailed Whydah
The pin-tailed whydah (Vidua macroura) is a small songbird with a conspicuous pennant-like tail in breeding males. It is a resident breeding bird in most of Africa south of the Sahara Desert.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Pin-tailed Whydah by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 3,184 | September | May–Oct |
| Florida | 9 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Texas | 5 | January | Jan–Jan |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Pin-tailed Whydah?
Nationally, September has the most observations, with the main season from May to October.
Where is Pin-tailed Whydah most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Florida, Texas.