EMILY HEBER
The Pin-tailed Whydah,
a parasitic bird, could put native Antilles and Hawaiian island species at
risk.
The word “parasite”
often brings to mind an image a small worm, but sometimes, parasitic species
are not what you imagine. Such is the case for the Pin-tailed Whydah, which is
one of only about 100 parasitic bird species in the world.
The Pin-tailed Whydah (Vidua macroura) is native to
sub-Saharan Africa where it is known for its bright orange beak, black and
white body, and the long tail-feathers they grow during mating season. The
distinct coloration of this species has led to their introduction throughout
the world via the pet trade. Although such proliferation might seem harmless,
the Pin-tailed Whydah’s unique parasitism makes it dangerous to native species
if it is accidentally or purposefully released into the wild.
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