Turdoides bicolor
Southern Pied Babblers inhabit drier savanna woodland and thornveld habitats, subsisting on a diet of insects and other arthropods supplemented by small invertebrates like geckos, lizards and frogs, and apparently do not have any requirement for surface water to drink. They usually forage in groups of 3 to 15, often alongside other kinds of birds, taking turns to keep watch for danger. They also breed cooperatively, usually during spring and summer, with all group members helping to build the nest and feed the clutch of up to 5 hatchlings that hatch after two weeks of incubation. While the chicks fledge before they’re 3 weeks old they will be provided food by other group members until they’re about two-and-a-half months old.
The Southern Pied Babbler occurs only in Namibia, Botswana, south-western Zimbabwe and South Africa (Limpopo, Gauteng, North West and the Northern Cape). According to the IUCN it is considered to be of least concern, despite a declining population.

A black-and-white bird! Perfect for monochrome images. There is a bird here in Hawaii that is brown with black spots, and when flying, it’s wings and tail show a black-and-white pattern. I don’t know what it is, but a couple of them steal the cat’s food when he’s not around to defend it.
These babblers would also be cocky enough to steal a cat’s food – I wonder if that points to a family relation with that Hawaiian bird you mention, John!
The cooperative breeding and chick-raising is most interesting. They are lovely birds – its been a long time since I have been anywhere where they occur, sadly.
The different strategies birds employ when breeding is worthy of an episode or two on National Geographic!