Grey-crested helmetshrike

Prionops poliolophus

(Photo from Bird Forum)

Common name:
grey-crested helmetshrike (en); atacador-de-poupa-cinzenta (pt); bagadais à huppe grise (fr); prionopo crestigrís (es); grauschopf-brillenwürger (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Prionopidae

Range:
This species occurs in a restricted area of south-western Kenya and adjacent areas of northern Tanzania, mostly between lake Victoria and lakes Natron and Eyasi.

Size:
These birds are 24-26 cm long and weigh about 50 g.

Habitat:
The grey-crested helmetshrike is found in open Acacia dephanolobium and Tarconanthus woodlands, riparian woodlands dominated by Acacia xanthophloea, Acacia abyssinica and Protea, and wooded grasslands and scrublands. They are present at altitudes of 1.200-2.200 m.

Diet:
They feed on insects, including insect larvae, grasshoppers and praying mantises.

Breeding:
Grey-crested helmetshrikes breed in April-July. They are cooperative breeders, living in groups of 12-17 individuals, all of which help build the nest, incubate the eggs, and brood and feed the young. The nest is an open cup made of bark and grasses and lined with spider webs which are also used to bind the nest to the branch of a tree. Each female lays 3-4 eggs, though more than one clutch may be laid in the same nest, and all group members help incubate them for 16-18 days. The chicks are fed by all group members, but there is no information regarding the length of the fledgling period.

Conservation:
IUCN status - NT (Near-Threatened)
This species has a relatively large breeding range and, although the population size of this species has not been quantified, it is described as generally scarce. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction and degradation, mainly due to increasing densities of livestock and cultivation of marginal land. Hybridisation with the white-crested helmetshrike Prionops plumatus may also represent a potential risk.

White helmetshrike

Prionops plumatus

Photo by Ruslou Koorts (Flickr)

Common name:

white helmetshrike (en); atacador-de-poupa-branca (pt); bagadais casqué (fr); prionopo crestiblanco (es); brillenwürger (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Passeriformes

Family Prionopidae

Range:

This African species is widespread across much of sub-Saharan Africa, being absent only from parts of Somalia and the lowland forests of west-central Africa.

Size:

These birds are 19-25 cm long and weigh 25-37 g.

Habitat:

The white helmetshrike is quite habitat-specific during the breeding season, preferring deciduous broad-leaved woodland, such as Miombo, Mopane and Burkea woodland. In the non-breeding season it moves more into other habitats, including Acacia savanna and suburban gardens. They are found from sea level up to an altitude of 1.800 m.

Diet:

These birds search for food in the canopies of trees as well as on their branches and trunks, and on the ground. They mostly hunt caterpillars, moths, termites, mantids and grasshoppers, but will also eat spiders and lizards.

Breeding:

The white helmetshrike is a monogamous cooperative breeder, with the breeding pair being helped by their siblings and youngsters from the previous breeding season. The group is territorial, noisily defending themselves against other groups and predators. The breeding season varies according to the range. The breeding pair builds a small cup made of bark bound together with spider web and lined with soft material, placed on a fork of a tree branch 2-10 m above the ground. There the female lays 2-5 eggs, which are incubated in shifts by all the group members for 16-21 days. The chicks are cared for by all group members and fledge 17-22 days after hatching, but only become fully independent about 5 months later.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

This species has an extremely large breeding range and, although the global population size is yet to be quantified, the white helmetshrike is described frequent to common. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.