A striking black-and-white babbler lacking any facial markings. Groups of 3-15 range through arid savanna, preferring areas with thorn trees, where they associate with Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver and Crimson-breasted Gonolek. The species gives a high-pitched aggravated babbling in group chorus. The similar Bare-cheeked Babbler differs from the Southern Pied-Babbler by having bare black skin patches near the eye and a rufous nape.
Exotic species flags differentiate locally introduced species from native species.
Naturalized: Exotic population is self-sustaining, breeding in the wild, persisting for many years, and not maintained through ongoing releases (including vagrants from Naturalized populations). These count in official eBird totals and, where applicable, have been accepted by regional bird records committee(s).
Provisional: Either: 1) member of exotic population that is breeding in the wild, self-propagating, and has persisted for multiple years, but not yet Naturalized; 2) rarity of uncertain provenance, with natural vagrancy or captive provenance both considered plausible. When applicable, eBird generally defers to bird records committees for records formally considered to be of "uncertain provenance". Provisional species count in official eBird totals.
Escapee: Exotic species known or suspected to be escaped or released, including those that have bred but don't yet fulfill the criteria for Provisional. Escapee exotics do not count in official eBird totals.