Southern pied babbler

Introduction: Southern pied babblers (Turdoides bicolour) are resident in Namibia especially in semi-arid to arid savannah woodland with corkwood or Acacia trees. Although they are usually observed in tall woodland, lower black thorn, camelthorn and Kalahari woodland also attracts this species. This is a sociable bird that roost and interact territorially year-round in groups of up to 15.

Distribution: Locally common in central and northern Namibia including Etosha National Park, Windhoek, Otjiwarongo and the Tsumeb triangle. Isolated observations along the Skeleton Coast have also been recorded.
Diet: Will forage on the ground in groups in leaves and grass tufts for large insects ,which they stab repeatedly before dismembering. Prey includes caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers, termites, ants, large ticks and on occasions small frogs.

Description: Overall white with a black bill, tail and wings. Has a distinctive harsh, chattering call.
Breeding: It is not unusual for up to 12 birds of this species to assist in nest breeding, which is used on a cooperative basis. A large, open bowl made of long grass stems and thin twigs is lined with hair and other soft fibres. Between October and January, females lay 2 to 5 eggs which are incubated for up to 16 days.

Size: 25cm.

Weight: 74g.