Pied Crow
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Witborskraai  Pied crow Corvus albus Mkhuze Game Reserve KwaZulu-Natal |
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Distribution - The Pied Crow is common and widespread throughout subsaharan Africa except southern Namibia (too dry), the Okavango Delta (too humid), and the equatorial rainforest region. You will find the Pied Crow mainly in open country with villages and towns nearby, but it is also at home in some of Africa's larger cities.
Biological details - The Pied Crow is slightly larger than the European Carrion Crow (length 46-50 cm) but has a proportionately larger bill and slightly longer tail, wings and longer legs. Its glossy black head and neck are interrupted by a large area of white feathering from the shoulders down to the lower breast. The tail, bill and wings are black. Diet: mainly insects and other small invertebrates, small reptiles, small mammals, young birds and eggs, grain, peanuts, carrion and any scraps of human food and fruit. The bird also scavenges around slaughter houses. Nest: usually built in tall, isolated trees. The cross supports of telephone poles are also frequently used. Eggs: average 4-5 from September to November, pale green spotted with brown. The eggs are normally covered when the incubating female leaves the nest. Incubation: 18-19 days, the young are usually fledged by around 45 days. Both sexes rear the young. Voice: a harsh "ar-ar-ar-ar" or "karh-karh-karh".
Other names: CZ Vrána černobílá - D Schildrabe - DK Broget Krage - ES Cuervo Blanco - F Corbeau pie, Corbeau à scapulaire, Corbeau blanc - NL Schildraaf - PL Biały Kruk - RU Бялата врана - UK Pied Crow, African Pied Crow, White-bellied Crow.
Source:
http://www.answers.com/topic/pied-crow
http://www.charliesbirdblog.com/~charlie/piedcrow/piedcrow.html (many photographs from close by)