# Piapiac

> The piapiac is a slim, glossy black member of the crow family with a long tail. In Murchison Falls small flocks follow buffalo, elephants and other large animals, often riding on their backs.

Source: https://www.nilesafarilodge.com/wildlife/piapiac

Bird · Resident

*Ptilostomus afer*

## In brief

The piapiac is a slim, glossy black member of the crow family with a long tail. In Murchison Falls small flocks follow buffalo, elephants and other large animals, often riding on their backs.

## How to identify the piapiac

All black with a purplish gloss, a long graduated tail and a violet eye. Young birds have a pink bill with a black tip.

## Where to see the piapiac in Murchison Falls National Park

Around herds on game drives north of the Nile, especially in Borassus palm savanna.

## Habitat

Open savanna with palms and scattered trees, and around grazing animals and villages.

## What the piapiac eats

Insects flushed by large animals, ticks taken from their skin, and fruit, especially oil-palm fruit.

## Behaviour

Sociable and noisy, moving in groups of ten or more.

## Best time to see the piapiac

All year. Resident, here all year.

Last reviewed 5 October 2026. Further reading: [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piapiac).

## At a glance

- **Scientific name**: Ptilostomus afer
- **Family**: Corvidae (crows)
- **Presence**: Resident, here all year
- **Best time to see it**: All year
- **Chance of seeing it**: Seen on most visits
- **Size**: About 35–42 cm long, including the long tail
- **Conservation status**: Least Concern (IUCN Red List)

Seen on

- [Game Drives](https://www.nilesafarilodge.com/activities/game-drives)
- [Bird Watching](https://www.nilesafarilodge.com/activities/bird-watching)

[Plan your stay](https://www.nilesafarilodge.com/contact?topic=Accommodation+and+reservations#enquire)

Or call [Whatsapp: +256 757 363362 Landline: +256 776 938 933](tel:+256757363362+256776938933)

## Questions about the piapiac

### What is the black bird that rides on buffalo in Murchison Falls?

Often the piapiac, a long-tailed black crow. Oxpeckers also ride on buffalo but are smaller and brown, with red or yellow bills.

## More birds

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- [African Jacana](https://www.nilesafarilodge.com/wildlife/african-jacana) (Bird · Resident): The African jacana is a chestnut waterbird with very long toes that let it walk on floating plants. It is common on the quiet, weedy edges of the Nil…
- [Shoebill](https://www.nilesafarilodge.com/wildlife/shoebill) (Bird · Resident · Vulnerable): The shoebill is a tall, blue-grey waterbird with a huge shoe-shaped bill, and the bird most visitors to Murchison Falls hope to see. It lives in the…

[All birds](https://www.nilesafarilodge.com/wildlife/birds)

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Nile Safari Lodge, Southern bank of the River Nile, Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda. Telephone Whatsapp: +256 757 363362              Landline: +256 776 938 933. Email info@nilesafarilodge.com. Reservations: https://www.nilesafarilodge.com/contact