HABITAT Often, several birds call in unison. Pairs or small groups feed on damp ground, near water or in vleis, plantations, agricultural lands, playing fields and suburban gardens. Roosts in tall trees and flies to and from feeding grounds early and late in the day.
SPECIES DESCRIPTION Common resident. Identified by heavy brown body with fairly short legs, decurved bill with red culmen, iridescent pink shoulder and white cheek-stripe. Shows broad wings in flight. Immature is dull and fluffy-headed. Very noisy, especially early morning and evening; when perched or in flight utters a raucous ‘Ha! ha-a-a… ha-ha-a-a…’.