White-crested Helmetshrike - A trip to South Africa
A bird a day keeps the chaos away
White-crested Helmetshrike
WHIHEL
Prionops plumatus
ORDER: Passeriformes
FAMILY: Vangidae
Kruger National Park, South Africa
A sociable, cartoon-like, black-and-white helmetshrike with a grayish crest and a piercing yellow eye and eye-wattle. Groups fly with a labored flight action, showing a conspicuous pied pattern. Close-knit parties of 5 to 10 birds forage restlessly in mixed- or single-species flocks in broadleaf woodland and arid savanna, looking for insects at middle and lower levels. Groups give strange ratcheting and ringing calls, including clicks and whistles.
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For more information about identifying birds, we suggest the following websites:
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology
What a "shriking" bird!
Wonderful photos of these unique looking and pretty birds!