Chestnut-fronted Helmetshrike
Prionops scopifrons
A gregarious mostly dark-gray helmetshrike. Note the piercing orange eye, blue eye wattles, chestnut forehead patch, red legs, and orange bill. Small to medium-sized flocks inhabit coastal forest and lush woodland. Often in mixed flocks, most often with Retz’s Helmetshrike. Vocalizations include tearing notes, croaks, and bill snaps. Similar to Retz’s Helmetshrike, but easily separated by the chestnut forehead and blue rather than red eye wattles.
Identification
The chestnut-fronted helmetshrike (Prionops scopifrons) is a species of bird in the Vanga family Vangidae, formerly usually included in the Malaconotidae. It is found in Kenya, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and subtropical or tropical moist shrubland found around the equator.
Taxonomy
Genus: Prionops; Family: Vangidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Prionops scopifrons
- Authority
- (Peters, W, 1854)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Vangidae
- Genus
- Prionops
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Hylophylax naevioides
Stunning antbird, small and boldly patterned. Rotund and short-tailed. Male has white belly with band of black spots across chest, gray head, and rufous back. Female more washed out, but similar pattern. Usually seen singly or in pairs in understory of forest, often following a mixed flock or army ant swarm. Stuttered song is a series of slightly wheezy whistles, descending in pitch.
Least Honeyguide
Indicator exilis
Small, dark olive-green honeyguide. The face and underparts are dark gray, with a pale spot above the bill and a dark line below it. Sometimes shows strong streaking on the back and lower flanks. In flight, shows white patches on the sides of the tail. Found in forest and tree plantations. The main call is a slowly repeated “chreeya.” Similar to Lesser and Thick-billed Honeyguides, but smaller, and further distinguished from Thick-billed by the facial markings. Also similar to Pallid Honeyguide, but has a larger bill, and a darker and more patterned head. Similar to Wahlberg’s and Green-backed Honeyguides, but has a thicker bill.
Short-tailed Pygmy-Tyrant
Myiornis ecaudatus
Tiny stump-tailed flycatcher; one of the smallest birds on earth. Minute size and compact body give it a unique appearance, in some ways looking more like a bumblebee than a bird. Whitish underparts with green back, gray head, and white spectacles. Found in mature and secondary rainforest, especially in areas with tall trees. Usually perches in the rainforest midstory and can be tricky to spot. Its song is a soft pair of short trilled notes “trrr-trrr,” sounding rather insectlike.
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