Retz's Helmetshrike (Prionops retzii)
Illustration redrawn by AI from a real photograph

Retz's Helmetshrike

Prionops retzii Wahlberg, 1856

50 gWeight

Retz's helmetshrike (Prionops retzii) is a species of bird in the helmetshrike family Vangidae, formerly usually included in the Malaconotidae.

Busiest months: October–November · Most records: South Africa, Kenya, Zambia

Least Concern

Where and when it's recorded

Retz's Helmetshrike has been recorded at 137 of the 8,171 birding hotspots we track, in 11 countries and regions.

Records by month Southern Hemisphere

Where it's recorded most

  1. Arabuko-Sokoke Forest NRKenya344 records
  2. Kruger NP – Berg-en-Dal CampSouth Africa189 records
  3. Okavango Delta – Xaro LodgeBotswana73 records
More places
  1. Kruger NP – Skukuza CampSouth Africa67 records
  2. Kruger NP – Pafuri/S63 areaSouth Africa65 records
  3. South Luangwa NPZambia60 records
  4. Marloth ParkSouth Africa53 records
  5. Mosi-oa-Tunya NPZambia49 records
  6. Ngare Sero Mountain LodgeTanzania48 records
  7. Lazy J Ranch & Bird SanctuaryZambia47 records

Countries and regions with the most records

South AfricaKenyaZambiaBotswanaZimbabweMalawiMozambiqueTanzania

eBird records via GBIF up to 2024-12-31. A record means someone listed it; more records partly mean more birders, not more birds.

About

Retz's helmetshrike (Prionops retzii) is a species of bird in the helmetshrike family Vangidae, formerly usually included in the Malaconotidae.

Excerpt from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 · authors · Read more on Wikipedia

Questions

How big is the Retz's Helmetshrike?

The Retz's Helmetshrike weighs around 50 g.

Where does the Retz's Helmetshrike live?

Its breeding range: Africa: central. It is most often recorded in South Africa, Kenya and Zambia.

When is the best time to see the Retz's Helmetshrike?

At the hotspots we track, it is recorded most in October and November (Southern Hemisphere).

Is the Retz's Helmetshrike endangered?

The IUCN Red List classifies the Retz's Helmetshrike as Least Concern.

What does the Retz's Helmetshrike eat?

Main food: Insects & other invertebrates.

What family is the Retz's Helmetshrike in?

It belongs to the family Vangas & Allies (Vangidae), order Passerines (Passeriformes).

At a glance

Weight
50 g
Habitat
Woodland
Diet
Insects & other invertebrates
Lifestyle
Perches in trees
Migration
Resident (barely migrates)
Conservation
Least Concern
More measurements
Wing
132 mm
Tail
95 mm
Bill
24 mm
Tarsus
22 mm

Averages from the AVONET dataset; length from field guides where available.

Range

Africa: central

Breeding range, IOC World Bird List 15.2

Classification

Order
Passerines Passeriformes
Family
Vangas & Allies Vangidae
Genus
Prionops

Other birds in the genus Prionops

White-crested HelmetshrikeWhite-crested HelmetshrikePrionops plumatusGrey-crested HelmetshrikeGrey-crested HelmetshrikePrionops poliolophusYellow-crested HelmetshrikeYellow-crested HelmetshrikePrionops albertiRed-billed HelmetshrikeRed-billed HelmetshrikePrionops canicepsRufous-bellied HelmetshrikeRufous-bellied HelmetshrikePrionops rufiventrisGabela HelmetshrikeGabela HelmetshrikePrionops gabelaChestnut-fronted HelmetshrikeChestnut-fronted HelmetshrikePrionops scopifronsRed-tailed VangaRed-tailed VangaCalicalicus madagascariensisRed-shouldered VangaRed-shouldered VangaCalicalicus rufocarpalisHook-billed VangaHook-billed VangaVanga curvirostris
Retz's Helmetshrike

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Free to use with credit: “Illustration: Bird Album (birdalbum.com)”. Drawn by AI from a reference photo by Duncan McKenzie. ↗

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