Behaviour This species is sedentary but may make local altitudinal movements within its Ethiopian range (del Hoyo et al. 1992). It breeds during the short rainy season between March and May, or in the more substantial rains of July (occasionally also breeding during the dry season in December) (del Hoyo et al. 1992). The species usually breeds colonially, although it may also nest in solitary pairs or smaller groups of 2-3 pairs (del Hoyo et al. 1992). It feeds in flocks of varying magnitudes, sometimes reaching sizes of up to 50 to 100 individuals (del Hoyo et al. 1992). Habitat The species is found in the highlands of Ethiopia between 1,500 to 4,100 m, where it inhabits river courses with rocky cliffs, and open country such as alpine moorland, swamps, cultivated land, plantations and open woodland (typically of olive, juniper and occasionally Eucalyptus stands) (del Hoyo et al. 1992). Diet Its diet is unknown, but is most likely to consist of worms and insects (such as the adults and larvae of coprophagus beetles), as well as frogs and small mammals (young mice) (Brown et al. 1982, del Hoyo et al. 1992). Breeding site When breeding colonially nests are placed on the eastern slopes of rocky cliffs (to obtain maximum morning sunlight for warmth) (Hancock et al. 1992), or on bushes protruding from cliff-faces, often up to 3,000 m in altitude (Brown et al. 1982, del Hoyo et al. 1992). When breeding in solitary pairs or small groups however, nests are more likely to be placed on the tops of trees or on ledges of buildings at lower elevations (1,800 to 2,000 m) (Brown et al. 1982, del Hoyo et al. 1992). In both cases the nest is a platform of branches and sticks (Brown et al. 1982, del Hoyo et al. 1992).