In Africa, subspecies "serratus" and "pica" (Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1833) show two phases, a pied phase with white or whitish below and a black phase where the only white is on the wing patch. Mating appears to be assortative, with pied phase males pairing with pied phase females. An all-rufous color phase has been noted in Central Africa. There is lack of clarity on the migration and plumage variation involved. Subspecies "pica" has been said to be the form that migrates between Africa and India however Rasmussen & Anderton (2005) suggest "serratus" as being the valid name for the Afro-Indian migrants.