Red-billed Buffalo Weaver

Fairly common resident. A distinctive blackish bird with red bill and white feathers on the flanks and shoulders. Immature is greyish with much mottling on sides of head and underparts, the bill initially horn-coloured, then dull yellow, then orange. Utters chattering sounds at the nest plus a mellow trill, ‘triddlyoo-triddlyoo-triddlyoo-triddlyoo’. Pairs and small flocks occur in thornveld and mixed bushveld, especially in dry regions, in association with baobab trees and large Acacia trees in which they build their communal nests. Patchily distributed and nomadic when not breeding.