- Plocepasser mahali
Identification
Length 16-19 cm, mass 40-55 g.
Broad, white eyebrow stripe and white rump, male has black bill, female's horn-coloured; that of the juvenile is pinkish-brown.
Distribution
Northern South Africa, Botswana, northern and central Namibia, and western Zimbabwe.
Taxonomy
There are four recognized subspecies:
- P. m. mahali - eastern part of the northern Cape Province of South Africa.
- P. m. stentor - western part of the northern Cape Province northwards along the Namibian escarpment.
- P. m. terricolor - eastern Botswana.
- P. m. pectoralis - northeastern Zimbabwe along the lower Zambezi river.
Habitat
Dry regions with woodland or savanna.
Behaviour
Forage in groups (usually less than 10 individuals) on the ground, mostly near the nest tree. Diet includes insects, seeds, fruit and leaves.
Breeding
Monogamous; colonial and cooperative breeder. They build inverted-U-shaped nests of dry grass. One to three eggs are incubated for about 14 days; The nestling period is about 22 days.
