White-crested Helmet-Shrike
Prionops plumatus
Bushveld. Pied with grey crown; orange-yellow eye-wattles and legs.
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Common resident. Identified by pied plumage, yellow eye plus eye-wattle and yellow legs. Flight appears slow and laborious like that of a butterfly; this accentuates the striking black-and-white wing markings. Immature has a browner crown. Parties occur in broad-leaved and mixed woodland, frequenting the mid- and lower strata. Nomadic, sometimes appearing in apparently unsuitable habitat and even suburbia, especially during droughts.
Quick Facts
Size
22 cm - M
Names
A: Withelmlaksman
Z: abayeni
G: Brillenwürger
Bird Family
Characterised by intense sociability; usually groups of six to 12 birds of all ages feed and roost together, and share nest-building and chick-feeding. They are nomadic unless breeding. They move from tree to tree continuously and maintain a noisy chattering comprised of harsh whirring and grating sounds plus bill-snapping. Sexes are alike.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Parties occur in broad-leaved and mixed woodland, frequenting the mid- and lower strata.
