Gray-crested Helmetshrike
Prionops poliolophus
A sociable, cartoon-like black-and-white helmetshrike with a tall and fluffy gray crest, piercing yellow eyes, and small black patches on the sides of the breast. The black-and-white contrast is most apparent in flight, with white patches in the outer wing and at the end of the tail. Close-knit parties of 5-10 birds occur very locally in moderately moist woodland and savanna. Very similar to White Helmetshrike in overall appearance, but separated by the long gray crest and the lack of bare yellow skin around the eye. Groups give strange ratcheting and ringing calls, including clicks and whistles, similar to White Helmetshrike’s, but lower-pitched.
Identification
A sociable, cartoon-like black-and-white helmetshrike with a tall and fluffy gray crest, piercing yellow eyes, and small black patches on the sides of the breast. The black-and-white contrast is most apparent in flight, with white patches in the outer wing and at the end of the tail. Close-knit parties of 5-10 birds occur very locally in moderately moist woodland and savanna. Very similar to White Helmetshrike in overall appearance, but separated by the long gray crest and the lack of bare yellow skin around the eye. Groups give strange ratcheting and ringing calls, including clicks and whistles, similar to White Helmetshrike’s, but lower-pitched.
Taxonomy
Genus: Prionops; Family: Vangidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Prionops poliolophus
- Authority
- Fischer, GA & Reichenow, 1884
- 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
Barka Indigobird
Vidua larvaticola
A nest parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of Black-faced Firefinch. Breeding males are glossy black with blue or blue-green iridescence and a pale brownish panel in the wings. Females and non-breeding males are brown and streaky on the back and pale below, with a bold facial pattern. The bill is white and the legs pinkish. Found in woodland, grassland, and thickets, often near water. Breeding males can be identified with care by their vocalizations and by their blue or blue-green gloss. Non-breeding males and females cannot be separated visually from other indigobirds. Imitates the vocalizations of its host firefinches, including soft, repeated whistles.
West Peruvian Dove
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Common and conspicuous dove of desert lowlands and foothills. Found in wide range of open and semiopen habitats from town streets and gardens to farmland and palm oases; range expanding rapidly south. Feeds on ground and in trees, sometime with smaller and plainer Eared Dove. Bold white wing band and broad white tail corners are distinctive; also note the violet-blue eyering. Mournful cooing song commonly heard all day long year-round.
Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo
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Rufous-brown, heavily barred cuckoo with an unusually long tail. There can be a wash of rufous on the throat and/or breast. Found in forest and thick woodland, including some miombo. Shy and retiring, and most easily found by voice. There are two main vocalizations; one is a long series of slurred “tseeeuw” calls which become more empatic. This sometimes leads into the second call type, which is a four-noted “toot tweet tow tweet.” Similar to other long-tailed cuckoos, but the adult is easily separated by the rufous barring on the upperparts.
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