This colorful bird, which looks like a sparrow, with a long feathered tail, is a so-called "Shaft-tailed Whydah", also called "Queen Whydah". During the breeding season the male has black crown and upper body plumage, golden breast and four elongated black tail shaft feathers with expanded tips. After the breeding season is over, the male sheds its long tail and grows olive brown female-like plumage.
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