Hubbry Logo
PiapiacPiapiacMain
Open search
Piapiac
Community hub
Piapiac
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Piapiac
Piapiac
Piapiac
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Piapiac
adult with beak full of termites
sub-adult (l) and immature (r)
Semliki Wildlife Reserve, Uganda
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Subfamily: Corvinae
Genus: Ptilostomus
Swainson, 1837
Species:
P. afer
Binomial name
Ptilostomus afer
(Linnaeus, 1766)
Distribution map
Synonyms

Corvus afer Linnaeus, 1766

The piapiac (Ptilostomus afer) is an African bird in the crow family, and is the only member of the genus Ptilostomus. It is most closely related to the Central Asian ground jays.

Taxonomy

[edit]

In 1760 the French zoologist Mathurin Jacques Brisson included a description of the piapiac in his Ornithologie based on a specimen collected in Senegal. He used the French name La pie du Sénégal and the Latin Pica Senegalensis.[2] Although Brisson coined Latin names, these do not conform to the binomial system and are not recognised by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature.[3] When in 1766 the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus updated his Systema Naturae for the twelfth edition, he added 240 species that had been previously described by Brisson.[3] One of these was the piapiac. Linnaeus included a brief description, coined the binomial name Corvus afer and cited Brisson's work.[4] The specific name afer is Latin for "Africa".[5] The piapiac is the only species placed in the genus Ptilostomus that was introduced by the English naturalist William Swainson in 1837.[6][7][8] The species is monotypic.[8]

A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2005 found that the piapiac from Africa was most closely related to the ground jays in the genus Podoces that inhabit Central Asia.[9]

Description

[edit]

In size it is a little smaller and slimmer than the European magpie (Pica pica) though the bill is relatively thicker. It is 35–42 cm (14–17 in) in length and weighs 121–130 g (4.3–4.6 oz). The overall colouring is black with the feathers quite silky in texture and having a purplish gloss in good light. The base of the tail tends to be more brown in colour than the rest of the body. Unusual for a passerine it has 10 rather than 12 tail feathers. The nasal plumes are somewhat upturned on top of the bill but fully cover the nostrils. The bill itself is black in the adult but partly reddish-pink towards the base in juvenile specimens. The bird's legs and feet are black and the iris is variable, but tends towards violet, purple or mauve with a bluish-purple outer ring. The voice is usually described as a shrill squeaking often with the jackdaw-like overtones. There is also a croaking alarm call given in anger where the head bobs.[10]

Distribution and habitat

[edit]

The range of the species is the tropical equatorial region of central Africa from Senegal on the west coast, eastwards in a broad band to Sudan and southern Ethiopia. Within this range, its favoured habitat is towards more open country of cultivated land with fields and pasture and small associated towns and villages.

Behaviour

[edit]

Feeding

[edit]

Food is obtained in flocks of ten or more birds moving together on the ground including insects and other invertebrates but will take a degree of carrion, possibly attracted as much by the associated insects this attracts as much as the meat itself. Some fruit is also taken in trees, with the oily fruit of the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) being a favourite. Able to run fast with some agility, it tends to hop at slower speed and will catch insects disturbed by the feet of cattle, sometimes hitching a ride on their backs and darting out to catch the prey.

Breeding

[edit]

The piapiac often nests in a palm tree, but other nesting sites are also used. Strips of palm leaf and grass stems are cemented together with mud and lined with palm fibre to form a cup, in which three to seven eggs are laid between March and April. Piapiac eggs are very pale blue, or greenish-blue with a few brown blotches.

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Piapiac

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The piapiac (Ptilostomus afer) is a slender, glossy black corvid bird endemic to , notable for its long, graduated tail, stout bill, and gregarious foraging habits in and cultivated landscapes. As the sole member of the Ptilostomus, it represents a unique lineage within the crow family (), most closely related to Central Asian ground jays based on genetic analyses. Measuring 35–42 cm in length and weighing 121–130 g, the piapiac features iridescent black with a bluish or purplish sheen, a violet-blue iris in adults, and black legs and feet; juveniles differ with a brown iris and pink bill tipped in black. Its distinctive vocalizations include loud "pee-ip" calls, metallic chirrups, and a rasping "kwerr" alarm note, often produced in noisy groups. The is widely distributed from southwestern eastward to southwestern and south to northeastern , , southwestern , and western , with isolated in and northern Congo; it occupies elevations from to 1,500 m. Preferred habitats encompass open savannas with scattered trees, woodlands, dry cultivated areas, pastures, and rural villages, where it frequently associates with human settlements and grazing . Piapiacs are sedentary and highly social, typically foraging in flocks of 8–50 individuals on the ground for (such as beetles and ), spiders, seeds, fruits, and occasionally carrion or oil palm nuts; they often walk alongside or perch on large mammals like to capture disturbed prey. Breeding occurs solitarily but with cooperative helpers, involving bulky nests of palm fibers, grass, and mud built in palm crowns or other tall trees; clutches of 3–7 pale blue or greenish eggs with brown blotches are laid seasonally, varying regionally (e.g., June–July in , March–April elsewhere). Although the global population size is unknown, the piapiac is considered widespread, common, and stable, with no substantial threats identified and possible increases in some areas like ; it is classified as Least Concern on the .

Taxonomy and systematics

Classification

The piapiac (Ptilostomus afer) belongs to the kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Passeriformes, family , and subfamily . Its binomial name, Ptilostomus afer, was first described by in 1766 under the original combination Corvus afer. The genus Ptilostomus is monotypic, encompassing only this species, and was established by William John Swainson in 1837. No subspecies are currently recognized, with the piapiac treated as a single, uniform species across its distribution.

Evolutionary relationships

The piapiac (Ptilostomus afer) is firmly placed within the Corvidae, the crows and allies, supported by both morphological characteristics—such as its stout bill and overall corvid-like —and molecular data from cytochrome b and other genetic markers that affirm the of the family. A comprehensive using sequences from one mitochondrial (cytochrome b) and two nuclear genes (GAPDH intron 11 and β-fibrinogen intron 7), totaling 2589 base pairs, resolved inter-generic relationships across Corvidae and positioned the piapiac as the sister to the Central Asian ground (Podoces spp.), forming a basal within the family. This relationship highlights the piapiac's aberrant morphology relative to typical corvids, underscoring its distinct evolutionary trajectory despite shared corvid ancestry. Distinctive morphological and behavioral traits in the piapiac, including its elongated, stiff, graduated comprising ten lanceolate feathers and its predominantly ground-based strategy, are indicative of specialized adaptations to the open, arid savanna habitats of . The likely enhances balance and stability during terrestrial movement or while perching on large mammals like buffaloes to glean ectoparasites and , behaviors that parallel but differ from those of oxpeckers in the same ecosystems. These adaptations contrast with the arboreal lifestyles of many corvid relatives and reflect selective pressures from expansive grasslands, where ground provides access to abundant invertebrate prey in disturbed soils. No fossil specimens attributable to Ptilostomus have been identified, limiting direct insights into the genus's evolutionary . Instead, the piapiac's origins are inferred from the broader record, which documents the family's initial diversification in the mid- of around 17 million years ago, with early taxa like Miocorvus and Miopica suggesting ancestral forms possibly linked to - and magpie-like lineages. Subsequent corvid radiations into likely occurred later, aligning with Miocene climatic shifts that expanded biomes and facilitated the evolution of ground-adapted forms like the piapiac.

Physical characteristics

Morphology and plumage

The piapiac (Ptilostomus afer) is a small-bodied corvid measuring 35–42 cm in total length and weighing 121–130 g. Its body is slender and magpie-like, with a stout bill featuring a strongly arched culmen and soft, upcurving nasal bristles that overlap along the ridge. The legs and feet are black. The is uniformly black, exhibiting a bluish or purplish gloss, particularly on the upperwing-coverts, tertials, and inner secondaries; the rump and uppertail-coverts appear duller sooty black, while the primaries and outer secondaries are very dark brown with blacker tips and paler inner webs. The is notably long and graduated, comprising 10 stiff feathers—a configuration atypical for passerines, which usually have 12—contributing to the bird's distinctive ; it is dull blackish-brown overall, lighter on the underside. The bill is black in adults, with a violet-blue or iris featuring a red-brown outer rim. Juveniles differ in having a brown iris and a bill that is pink with black tips, gradually turning fully black after about a year.

Vocalizations

The piapiac's vocal repertoire is characterized by a series of shrill, squeaking notes that form its primary call, often rendered as a repetitive "pee-ip, pee-ip, pee-ip" delivered in loud chattering sequences lasting 2–3 seconds. These calls, shriller than those of the long-tailed glossy , serve as contact signals among flock members during and social interactions, helping maintain cohesion in groups of 8–50 individuals. Additionally, the piapiac produces a jackdaw-like chatter, described as piping and high-pitched -like "cheeet" notes, which become particularly garrulous when birds call to one another in open savannas or rural settings. For alarm purposes, the piapiac emits harsh, scolding chatter or a short, rasping "kwerr" when disturbed, accompanied by a clipped metallic chirrup that underscores agitation. These vocalizations function in territorial defense and predator deterrence, with flocks growing noisy toward roosting time to coordinate evening assemblies.

Distribution and habitat

Geographic range

The piapiac (Ptilostomus afer) is endemic to , with its geographic range extending from southwestern , , and in the west eastward across a broad band to , southern , western , and . This distribution encompasses portions of (including , northern , , northern , southern , , northern and eastern , , , southern , and ), Central Africa (such as southwestern , northeastern , and northern Congo with isolated records), and ( except the southwest and east, and western ). The species' extent of occurrence is estimated at 6,980,000 km², reflecting its widespread but patchy occurrence through tropical equatorial regions, from which it is notably absent in dense rainforests and extreme deserts. First described by in 1766 based on specimens from , the piapiac's range has exhibited historical stability, with the species remaining sedentary across most of its distribution and no evidence of major contractions since its initial documentation. Current assessments indicate a stable population trend, lacking substantial threats or declines that would suggest range shifts. Within this expansive range, the piapiac shows a preference for open habitats, though isolated in areas like highlight occasional movements.

Habitat preferences

The piapiac (Ptilostomus afer) primarily inhabits open savannas with scattered trees and patches of , as well as dry grasslands and cultivated areas. It occurs from up to 1,500 m in , favoring environments that provide ample opportunities in grassy or agricultural settings. This shows a strong association with human-modified landscapes, including grazed pastures, arable fields under dry cultivation, and edges of villages or towns where domestic and farming activities create suitable open habitats. It tolerates and even benefits from these altered environments, often foraging in harvested fields or areas near rural settlements. Piapiacs avoid dense forests, preferring more open and seasonally dry areas that align with their ground-foraging behavior. They particularly favor regions with native palms such as Borassus or Hyphaene species, which provide ideal nesting sites in the frond bases or forks up to 11 m high.

Behavior and ecology

Social behavior

The piapiac (Ptilostomus afer) is a highly social corvid that typically forms flocks of 8 or more individuals, engaging in cooperative foraging and communal roosting to enhance group cohesion and predator vigilance. These flocks, occasionally reaching up to 50 birds outside the breeding season, move together across open habitats, with individuals coordinating their activities through vocalizations such as piping "cheeet" calls that become more frequent during group interactions. In social foraging contexts, piapiacs target insects disturbed by their collective movements on the ground. On the ground, piapiacs exhibit agile locomotion, running swiftly or hopping at slower paces to pursue prey, while also perching in trees, palms, or on large mammals for elevated vantage points. They are primarily sedentary within their range, though local movements may occur in response to resource availability or seasonal changes. A notable interaction involves following large herbivores like , where piapiacs exploit the mammals' footsteps to flush , sometimes hitching rides on their backs to access disturbed areas. Piapiacs defend communal sites aggressively, with groups emitting croaking alarm calls accompanied by head-bobbing displays when threats approach, and juveniles often leading vocal protests against predators such as kites. Roosting occurs communally in palm crowns, where flocks of 4–14 birds arrive post-sunset, engage in allopreening for social bonding, and maintain loose cohesion before settling for the night. This behavior underscores their reliance on for safety, with moderate aggression displayed toward intruding birds to secure roost sites.

Foraging and diet

The piapiac exhibits an omnivorous diet, with forming the primary component, including beetles, , grasshoppers, spiders, and larvae, as well as ectoparasites gleaned from mammals. It also consumes seeds, berries, fruits—particularly the oily fruits of the oil palm ()—carrion. These birds opportunistically exploit disturbed prey, such as flushed by mammals, enhancing their access to otherwise cryptic food sources. Foraging occurs predominantly on the ground, where piapiacs move in parties typically numbering eight or more individuals, though groups can swell to 20–40 or even 50 birds temporarily for richer feeding opportunities. They employ ground-probing techniques, running swiftly or hopping to pursue prey, and frequently associate with large herbivores like , , or buffalo, either following on foot or occasionally perching on their backs to capture and ticks. This symbiotic behavior is common in open savannas and cultivated fields near human settlements, where disturbed soil from or farming activities provides abundant prospects. Piapiacs are diurnal foragers, active from dawn to dusk, and display high opportunism in anthropogenically modified landscapes such as pastures and small towns, where they readily exploit human-adjacent resources without specialized adaptations. Flock formation aids in coordinated searching and predator vigilance during these extended daily bouts, allowing efficient coverage of foraging grounds.

Reproduction

The piapiac's breeding season is closely tied to local rainfall patterns and varies across its range. In the western part of its distribution, such as , breeding typically occurs from June to July, while in it extends from July to September and in from April to May. In more eastern regions like , , and , the season spans March to June, and in it peaks in November. Piapiacs are solitary nesters that construct a compact, cup-shaped nest using twigs, grasses, palm leaves, grass stems, and mud, often lined with palm fibers for insulation. These nests are usually placed 5–11 m above ground at the base of a palm frond, with a preference for species such as Borassus or Hyphaene palms, though they may also use cliffs or other elevated sites in some areas. The female lays a clutch of 3–7 pale blue or greenish-blue eggs with brown blotches in the nest. Incubation and fledging periods are not well documented, but both parents participate in brooding and care. Parental investment is biparental, with both sexes feeding the young; in cooperative breeding scenarios, which occur in some populations, up to five adults and three immatures may assist at the nest, enhancing chick survival through shared provisioning.

Conservation

Population status

The piapiac (Ptilostomus afer) is classified as Least Concern by the , with the most recent assessment in confirming this status due to its large range and lack of substantial threats. The global population size remains unquantified, though the species is reported as locally common across its extensive distribution in . Population trends are suspected to be stable, with no documented evidence of declines based on the 2024 assessment. This abundance is particularly notable in open habitats, where the piapiac is one of the most conspicuous and widespread corvids, benefiting from associations with grazing mammals that enhance opportunities.

Threats and management

No substantial threats to the piapiac have been identified. The is not targeted for hunting, food, or trade. Despite potential pressures from changes, the piapiac demonstrates notable resilience, thriving in human-modified landscapes such as farmlands and areas with , where it opportunistically follows grazing animals to access disturbed and small vertebrates. This adaptability to agricultural expansion and urban edges contributes to its overall population stability, obviating the need for targeted conservation programs. The occurs in numerous protected areas across its range and is monitored as part of wider surveys of corvids and avifauna across West and , which track broader trends in bird communities.
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.