Lamprotornis bicolor
The conspicuous Pied Starling prefers open habitats in hilly terrain (grasslands, arid scrub and agricultural fields and pastures). They are mainly insectivorous in their diet, but will also feed on fruit and seeds. They often associate with wild and domesticated herbivores, feeding on ticks and preying on insects disturbed by the movement of the large animals. Pied Starlings are about 27cm long and weigh around 100g.
Pied Starlings are gregarious, moving around in flocks that can number over a thousand, especially outside the peak summer breeding season. Pied Starlings prefer to nest colonially in tunnels in earth walls and river banks, which they line with soft plant material and discarded garbage. Clutches contain from 2-6 eggs (most usually 4) that are incubated by the female for two weeks. Both parents, and up to 7 helpers from previous broods, feed the chicks that fledge at between 3 and 4 weeks old.
Thanks to an abundant population, the IUCN considers the Pied Starling to be of least concern. It occurs only in Swaziland, Lesotho and South Africa (all provinces except Limpopo).
DeWetsWild 
Lovely pictures, especially when it turn its head back at you and seems to think “What are you looking at?” 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Doesn’t like the paparazzi at all! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Spreeus gee my effense rillings…pragtige foto’s,Dries.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hulle het nogal “persoonlikheid” – dalk n gesplete een daarby!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dis dalk hoekom.Spreeus en kraaie laat my altyd dink hulle is slimmer as mense😜😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
En hulle is dalk!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Strange looking eyes it has.. do they have white rings around them?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed they do, Cayenne!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That second to last photo is a funny one–he looks like a truly Angry Bird!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not a morning bird, it seems… 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people