White-crested Helmetshrike (Prionops plumatus)
Illustration redrawn by AI from a real photograph

White-crested Helmetshrike

Prionops plumatus (Shaw, 1809)

34 gWeight

The white-crested helmetshrike (Prionops plumatus), also known as the white helmetshrike, is a species of passerine bird in the Vanga family Vangidae, formerly usually included in the Malaconotidae.

Busiest months: August–November · Most records: South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe

Least Concern

Where and when it's recorded

White-crested Helmetshrike has been recorded at 311 of the 8,171 birding hotspots we track, in 28 countries and regions.

Records by month Southern Hemisphere

Where it's recorded most

  1. Mkhuze GRSouth Africa362 records
  2. Shai Hills Resource ReserveGhana164 records
  3. Etosha NP – Halali CampNamibia159 records
More places
  1. Kruger NP – Skukuza CampSouth Africa149 records
  2. Lake Nakuru NPKenya144 records
  3. Mukuvisi WoodlandsZimbabwe143 records
  4. Marloth ParkSouth Africa135 records
  5. Lazy J Ranch & Bird SanctuaryZambia127 records
  6. Manyoni GR – Zebra Hills LodgeSouth Africa123 records
  7. DO NOT USE** Ndumo GRSouth Africa111 records

Countries and regions with the most records

South AfricaKenyaZimbabweZambiaBotswanaNamibiaGhanaTanzania

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

The white-crested helmetshrike (Prionops plumatus), also known as the white helmetshrike, is a species of passerine bird in the Vanga 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 White-crested Helmetshrike?

The White-crested Helmetshrike weighs around 34 g.

Where does the White-crested Helmetshrike live?

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

When is the best time to see the White-crested Helmetshrike?

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

Is the White-crested Helmetshrike endangered?

The IUCN Red List classifies the White-crested Helmetshrike as Least Concern.

What does the White-crested Helmetshrike eat?

Main food: Insects & other invertebrates.

What family is the White-crested Helmetshrike in?

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

At a glance

Weight
34 g
Habitat
Woodland
Diet
Insects & other invertebrates
Lifestyle
Perches in trees
Migration
Resident (barely migrates)
Conservation
Least Concern
More measurements
Wing
108 mm
Tail
88 mm
Bill
21 mm
Tarsus
22 mm

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

Range

Africa: widespread

Breeding range, IOC World Bird List 15.2

Classification

Order
Passerines Passeriformes
Family
Vangas & Allies Vangidae
Genus
Prionops

Other birds in the genus Prionops

Grey-crested HelmetshrikeGrey-crested HelmetshrikePrionops poliolophusYellow-crested HelmetshrikeYellow-crested HelmetshrikePrionops albertiRed-billed HelmetshrikeRed-billed HelmetshrikePrionops canicepsRufous-bellied HelmetshrikeRufous-bellied HelmetshrikePrionops rufiventrisRetz's HelmetshrikeRetz's HelmetshrikePrionops retziiGabela HelmetshrikeGabela HelmetshrikePrionops gabelaChestnut-fronted HelmetshrikeChestnut-fronted HelmetshrikePrionops scopifronsRed-tailed VangaRed-tailed VangaCalicalicus madagascariensisRed-shouldered VangaRed-shouldered VangaCalicalicus rufocarpalisHook-billed VangaHook-billed VangaVanga curvirostris
White-crested Helmetshrike

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

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