A male Pin-tailed Whydah in search of seed / food on the Barano Trail. Photo taken on September 21, 2014 around 10:50 a.m.
A male Pin-tailed Whydah overlooks a section of the Barano Trail in Mission Viejo, CA on September 21, 2014
A male Pin-tailed Whydah appears to be performing a courtship display in flight on the Barano Trail, Mission Viejo, CA on September 21, 2014
At around 10 a.m., after being on this local trail for about an hour, my peripheral vision was able to briefly catch a very narrow and lengthy tailed species in flight. I had hoped for its return as from experience I knew this was either a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher or a male Pin-tailed Whydah. The Scissor-tailed would be an uncommon, non exotic and a domestic find while the Whydah would be a bit more common and an exotic (caged release and originally from Africa – it did not fly here – i.e. migrate). However, either would be fascinating to watch after this brief encounter.
A 20 minute wait proved beneficial (not exceptional as with a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher) as the earlier sighting was in fact the male Pin-tailed Whydah. The flying pattern of this male Whydah was rather cumbersome and clunky to say the least. It was neither swift nor agile. As it landed atop of a sycamore tree waiting for insects, a unique dodging pattern occurred moments later as it was thrust itself back and forth against a barren branch plucking insects (see in flight photograph below) one by one.
I tracked the bird for about an hour and overtime the male eventually came within close proximity. He landed on the asphalt trail as I stood nearby in the shadows firing off a series of photographs with the 5D Mark III in Silent shutter mode and the Canon 400mm L 5.6 with a 1.4 extender.
I have been on this trail numerous times weekly over the past 3 years and this is the first Pin-tailed Whydah. It’s presence apparently agitated a nearby Black Phoebe that I witnessed flying back and forth under a nearby rooftop. Three Northern Mockingbirds and several Western-scrub Jays also appeared to be bothered by its appearance.
Phyllis Anderson
I have had some pin tailed whydahs in my back yard for several months now. I’ve had a male, female, and 3 juveniles. The male is there frequently throughout the day, and comes to eat the seed I put out on the patio. He is also very aggressive to the other birds feeding there, and will fly toward them to scare them off, usually with success. And, yes, he does seem to be struggling to fly up into the trees, where he appears to be “standing guard” over his territory, as he will swoop down to the poor birds that enter his domain!
JJMeyer
Great photos! I’m surprised the male still has the long tail, which I thought was his breeding plumage. BTW, I wrote a story for the Orange County Register (9/7/13) about the pin-tailed whydahs in the area. Doug Willick provided some interesting information about these birds. Here’s the link:
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/birds-524700-whydahs-pintailed.html
RC
Today, 6-29-16, in Costa Mesa 92627, between 5-6pm, on the lawn in my backyard under a bird feeder, I saw a male Pin-tailed Whydah eating seeds for about ten minutes.
OC Birds Admin
Thanks for this – consider making an entry at eBird.org for this sighting and any other sightings
Dayle
On June 1, 2016 I saw a male Pin-tailed Whydah eating seed under my bird feeder in Ocean Beach (San Diego) 92107. He was here for about 15 minutes between 6-6:30pm. Several finches, sparrows, and doves were also feeding. He was very quick and nervous but intent on feeding.
OC Birds Admin
hi – thank you for this notification – it has been approved on the site
David
My wife and I saw a male Pin tailed Whydah in Sycamore Park off of Stone Hill road at San Juan Creek, at 6:00 PM on July 16. We have never seen the bird before, and we were amazed to see it. Spent about 15 minutes photographing and observing the small long tailed, bird as he foraged, and perched about signing with distinctive song.
Dianne
I’ve been watching this long tailed bird for the past week. Finally had the chance to get up close today, so excited to identify a male Pin tailed Whydah here in Tustin!
OC Birds Admin
thanks for the heads up..been getting many inquiries on this species.
B.J. Shultz
I have had a Pin Tailed Whydah in my backyard for days now. They chase off the goldfinches and doves to get to the seeds on the ground. He seems to rarely eat on the ground.
OC Birds Admin
thanks for this helpful local info
Cedric Berggren
We have had a Pin-tailed Whydah visit our bird feeder every day for the past couple of months. He has maintained his long tail feathers the whole time and we have witnessed his courtship dance several times, recorded it on cellphone video once. He is very aggressive towards other birds, especially doves.
OC Birds Admin
thanks for the posting
Gloria Broming
So excited to have found your site! My husband and I were having dinner on the back lawn with two friends at Arroyo Golf Club at the end of Avery Parkway, in Mission Viejo, last Thursday July 13, 2017. I heard a bird call I hadn’t heard before which caught my attention I looked up and saw what I thought was a Scissor Tailed Fly Catcher (based on the tail). I interrupted the conversation and pointed to the bird so I would have witnesses. I looked on the rare bird and didn’t see any posts. I couldn’t definitively say it was a STFC as I could see the color of the bird (back lit by the sun). But to me the body mass looked smaller than a STFC. Now having found this post, I believe it was the Pin Tailed Whydah.
Jess Peterson
Saw male at my hummingbird feeder today for the first time. In Dana Point. Female appeared to be with him, but didn’t get a good enough look at her to ID her for sure.
Ann
I spotted a pin-tailed whydah at Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley CA last week. I walk there at lunch time and I saw it two days in a row. At first I thought it was a flycatcher but the red beak told me that it wasn’t. After I did a little internet research I came across this article.
Michelle Gulsby
Today I was finally able to see the male whydah dancing in front of a female. He’s been here in Mission Viejo a long time and loves to sing.
Giovann!
Today, 8-20-17, in Irvine CA 92606, I have a male Pin-tailed Whydah that has been coming to my small back yard all this summer, there are lots wild finches outside that I provide food for them every day morning and afternoo. I thik he likes it here he comes to eat morning and afternoon.
laura
Sighted here in Westminster in my backyard. Male, sitting on a wire with several finches. He them tried scaring them away. Then after 10 min the other birds flew away and he followed them. This was on 10-12-17. About 5pm.
OC Birds Admin
Sorry for the lengthy delay..your comment did not arrive at my inbox. This was more than likely the invasive Pin-tailed Whydah male. The bird is not native and a caged release originally (approximately 30 years ago as a rough guess). There are many images online (such as Flickr.com). Thanks for the note
Tammy
A male courting a female was in my yard in Tustin this week. I have seen them in the past. I was able to get pictures when I saw them in 2010, that is 9 years ago!
Paul
I see one, male, every day on the San Diego Creek trail in Irvine around Main st bridge. The same spot every morning.
Michael
Wonderful sighting in Mariners Park today…..August 15, 2022….Newport Beach……..mid-afternoon……hanging out on a fence adjacent to the baseball field. Took flight and joined a flock of birds backlit, so hard to perceive what others were. Joined them in scrounging and pecking at the ground. Clearly the tail of the pin-tailed whydah, and a first for me on a long personal life list. I got to observe him for a long time.
Loretta
I saw my very first female pin-tailed Whydah on my neighborhood walk to the local city park here in Anaheim! Amazing to see it balance on overhead wires!
Yvonne
So happy to identify this bird finally. I have a male and a few females that come to eat seed at my feeders here in Chino.
The male is very aggressive and scares off my sparrows, gnat archers and finches. He does have a beautiful song though.
Kelly Counseller
Just saw a male pin tailed whydah at our backyard feeder. Beautiful bird, we were very lucky to see one here in San Clemente.
Robert M Mysel
I looked this bird up after spotting it this morning on my street in Orange. Discovered that it was a Pin-tailed Whydah thanks to this web site. What a pretty bird. I am not a birder but thought I’d share.
Drake E Gustafson
I saw this bird on a wire in Anaheim in front of my house. Never seen a bird with such a long tail. Pretty cool.
Thomas V VanWinkle
About 7:00 a.m. in Lakewood California, saw one of these birds on the wires in our neighbors backyard.
Got my field glasses and watched it groom it’s long tail feathers for about 2 minutes.
Did not get my phone in time to take a picture.
Lynne Humphrey
Just saw one of these birds for the first time ever (and we are avid bird watchers). Our yard in Rolling Hills Estates (Palos Verdes area) is a canyon with lots of big trees including eucalyptus. This bird got on our bird feeder for about a minute and then struggled with his extra long tail and skinny body to the top of the eucalyptus tree. I hope he comes back!