Piapiac

The Piapiac is a slim, all-black corvid of sub-Saharan African savanna and open country, closely associated with palm trees and large grazing animals. It is smaller and more slender than most crows, with a long graduated tail giving it a magpie-like silhouette. Adults develop a pale blue iris, a distinctive feature among African corvids.

Body plumage is uniformly glossy black with subtle iridescence in strong light. The tail is notably long and graduated, contributing to a slim, elongated profile in flight and at rest. Wings are relatively short and rounded compared to the long tail. The overall slender build with an all-black, long-tailed silhouette distinguishes it from bulkier African crows.

Sexes are alike in plumage, entirely black year-round. Juveniles are duller black with a browner tone and lack the pale iris of adults, which develops with maturity. A single annual molt follows breeding.

Piapiacs favor open savanna, grassland, and cultivated areas across a broad swath of sub-Saharan Africa, often nesting in palm trees. They are generally resident within their range.

This species is often seen foraging on the ground in small flocks, and it frequently associates with large mammals such as cattle or wild game, catching insects disturbed by their movement. Flight is light and somewhat undulating given its slender build. Calls include harsh chattering notes. Nests are typically built high in palm trees, often in loose colonies.