Ptilostomus afer
The Piapiac (*Ptilostomus afer*) is a distinctive and highly social corvid found across sub-Saharan Africa. Measuring approximately 35-40 cm in length and weighing 120-160 grams, this slender, long-tailed bird is entirely glossy black, often exhibiting a subtle purple or blue sheen in good light, and is immediately recognizable by its striking bright red eyes. Its long, graduated tail and relatively small, stout black bill further aid identification. Unlike many of its corvid relatives, the P...
Piapiacs primarily inhabit open woodlands, savannas, and cultivated areas, showing a strong preference for areas with scattered tall trees for nesting and open ground for foraging, often near livestock. They are typically found in lowland to moderate elevation environments.
Primarily insectivorous, consuming a wide variety of insects such as locusts, grasshoppers, and termites, alongside ticks gleaned from mammals. They are opportunistic omnivores, also feeding on small vertebrates, fruits (especially oil palm), seeds, and occasionally carrion.
Piapiacs are highly gregarious and diurnal birds, often seen in noisy flocks of 10-20 individuals, and gathering in larger groups, sometimes hundreds, at communal roosts. Their foraging strategy is unique: they frequently engage in a commensal relationship with large mammals, riding on the backs ...
The Piapiac boasts a wide distribution across sub-Saharan Africa, primarily inhabiting the savanna and open woodland belts. Its range extends broadly from Senegal and Gambia in the west, eastwards through the Sahel region to Ethiopia and Eritrea, and then southwards through East Africa to norther...
Least Concern
- The Piapiac is the only member of its genus, *Ptilostomus*, making it a unique evolutionary branch within the crow family (Corvidae). - They are famous for their symbiotic relationship with large mammals, often perching on the backs of cattle, goats, and wild ungulates to pick off ticks and oth...