White-crested Helmet-shrike

Prionops plumatus

Other Names

  White Helmet-shrike, Helmet Shrike, Curly-crested Helmet-shrike, Long-crested Helmet Shrike   Bagadais bouclé   Brillenwürger     Långtofsad hjälmtörnskata, Glasögonhjälmtörnskata   Kuif-helmklauwier   Averla dall'elmo crestalunga

World: Africa: Wide distribution S of 15°N. Absent from the equatorial lowland forests in the W and also from the arid SW.

Kenya: Found mostly below 1800m in areas with suitable habitat (dry bush and wooded areas).

Occur in small active parties, that are always on the move as they forage among branches or on the ground. They are gregarious and noisy, calling constantly to one another as they move through their territory. The bird pictured above is of the eastern subspecies P. p. vinaceigularis.