widow bird

== English == === Alternative forms === widowbird === Etymology === Compound of widow +‎ bird. The name for the family Viduidae derives from the genus name Vidua, from post-classical Latin vidua (“widow”) for males' black plumage, which resembles the mourning clothes of a widow. Compare whydah, from Whydah, a city in the Kingdom of Dahomey, now Ouidah, Benin. The terms widow-bird and whydah-bird influenced one another due to association of one species with the city. === Noun === widow bird (plural widow birds) Any of several species of birds in the family Viduidae, incorporating whydahs and widow finches. Any of several species of birds in the genus Euplectes. ==== Derived terms ==== long-tailed widowbird (sakabula, Euplectes progne) red-collared widowbird ==== Translations ==== === References === Viduidae on Wikipedia.Wikipedia Euplectes on Wikipedia.Wikipedia Viduidae on Wikispecies.Wikispecies Euplectes on Wikispecies.Wikispecies Category:Viduidae on Wikimedia Commons.Wikimedia Commons Category:Euplectes on Wikimedia Commons.Wikimedia Commons