[Representing L. generic name Vidua, F. veuve (Brisson, Ornithol., 1760) widow. (Altered to WHIDAH-bird.)] A bird of the genus Vidua or subfamily Viduinæ of the family Ploccidæ (Weaver-birds), found in various parts of Africa: so called from the prevailingly black plumage of the males, which are also distinguished by an immensely elongated train of tail-feathers.
[1747: see WIDOW sb.1 2 a.]
1772. Barrington, in Phil. Trans., LXII. 282, note. These long feathers would be very inconvenient to the hen during incubation; and they are likewise confined to the cock widow-bird.
1783. Latham, Gen. Syn. Birds, II. I. 179. Whidah B[unting]…. This is pretty common at Angola, and other parts of Africa; and is called la Veuve, or Widow Bird, from the colour.
1807. [Mrs. Dorset], Peacock ‘at Home’ (1822), 5.
| The Bunting forsook her soft nest in the reeds; | |
| And the Widow-Bird came, though she still wore her weeds. |
1869–73. T. R. Jones, Cassell’s Bk. Birds, I. 179. The Long-tailed Widow Bird [Chera caffra] the largest of all the South African species. Ibid., 180. The Cock-tailed Widow Birds (Steganura) are found throughout the whole of Central Africa. Ibid. The Paradise Widow Bird (Vidua paradisea) … found principally in the thinly-wooded forests of Africa.
1871. Darwin, Desc. Man, II. viii. 269. The male widow-bird, remarkable for his caudal plumes.
1896. Newton, Dict. Birds, 1030. The females of all the Widow-birds differ greatly in appearance from the males, and are generally clothed in a plumage of mottled brown.
