The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Whidah bird \Whid"ah bird`\, (Zool.)
   Any one of several species of finchlike birds belonging to
   the genus Vidua, native of Asia and Africa. In the breeding
   season the male has very long, drooping tail feathers. Called
   also vida finch, whidah finch, whydah bird, whydah
   finch, widow bird, and widow finch.
   [1913 Webster]

   Note: Some of the species are often kept as cage birds,
         especially Vidua paradisea, which is dark brownish
         above, pale buff beneath, with a reddish collar around
         the neck.
         [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Widow bird \Wid"ow bird`\ (Zool.)
   See Whidan bird.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

widow bird
    n 1: mostly black African weaverbird [syn: whydah, whidah,
         widow bird]