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.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Prionops poliolophus
- Authority
- Fischer, GA & Reichenow, 1884
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Prionopidae
- Genus
- Prionops
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Dark Chanting-Goshawk
Melierax metabates
A tall, long-tailed, slaty-gray hawk with pink-orange legs and bill base. The flight feathers and wing tips are dark on both the upper and under wings, creating a uniformly dark wing pattern in flight. Pairs inhabit broadleaved woodland and well-wooded savanna. Chanting-goshawks give a strong, gull-like “kleeeu” call, hence their name. Dark Chanting-Goshawk always has a gray-barred rump, while other chanting-goshawks are paler, prefer drier habitats, and have unbarred white rumps. Eastern Chanting-Goshawk has yellow skin at the base of the bill. Pale Chanting-Goshawk has pale inner flight feathers and dark wing tips, creating a very contrasting wing pattern.
Dusky Antbird
Cercomacroides tyrannina
This skulking species lives in humid tropical lowlands, favoring thickets and tangles at forest edges and along streams. Often heard song of piping whistles usually reveals the presence of Dusky Antbirds, which usually occur in pairs but are difficult to see clearly. Male is slaty gray overall with narrow whitish wingbars. Female has a rusty “blank” face and rusty underparts.
Baird's Sandpiper
Calidris bairdii
Long-winged, long-distance migrant similar to White-rumped Sandpiper but with warmer buffy-tan plumage. Elongated body gives a horizontal impression when foraging; unique flattened oval shape when seen head-on. Black bill and brown rump. Breeding adults rather pale with large black spots on back. Crisp juveniles show neat scaly pattern on wings and back and have a warm buffy face and neck. Often with flocks of other small shorebirds, but prefers drier habitats, such as the grassy edge of a mudflat, seaweed-covered upper portion of a beach, or sod field. Breeds in the Arctic tundra; winters in South America.
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