Identification

They are all black except for white flight feathers and bare facial wattles (red in males, bluish in females).

Distribution & Habitat

Found in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, north eastern Namibia, northern Botswana, and the eastern side of South Africa
Any woodland, savannah and open grassland

Diet

Entirely carnivorous, eating lizards, frogs, snails and insects.

Reproduction

Seasonal: October to November
Nest : Usually a hole in a tree, also hole in rock face or wall of donga
Clutch : 1-2 Eggs
Incubation : About 40 days

Probably very long-lived once adult - Estimated longevity 30 to 40 years old.

Behaviour

In pairs or groups of usually not more than 8 birds, average group size 3 to 6 birds - made up of a dominant pair and several 'helpers' (usually adult males). They have established territories and neighbouring groups chase each other in aerial pursuits
Forages on the ground digging with bill for food
Vocal mostly early morning and also late afternoon and have loud 'booming' call.
Adult females will some times move to neighbouring groups or live solitary, sometimes near antelope or baboons.

Conservation

Widespread and common in much of its range, though has become rare in parts of South Africa. Is susceptible to inadvertent poisoning due to its foraging habits and sometimes is regarded a pest by humans because of glass breakages in houses and cars when they attack their reflections in typical territorial behaviour.

No captive breeding programmes required at present although it is a UK monitored species.