Vidua orientalis has often been considered a subspecies of eastern paradise whydah, Vidua paradisea, since both birds parasitise the green-winged pytilia, Pytilia melba, a common species of estrildid finch.

However, the finch has two subspecies, nominate melba and citerior, which are sometimes treated as separate species.

[3] The males in breeding plumage have black back and wings, with a rufous breast.

When in eclipse (non-breeding) plumage, the males are similar to the hen, as they are tawny above with narrow mantle streaking.

In a breeding season females may lay about 22 eggs, that hatch after 12–13 days of incubation.