Prionops plumatus
The very active and gregarious White-crested Helmetshrike occurs commonly in savanna and woodland habitats from northern Kwazulu-Natal through Mpumalanga and Limpopo to Gauteng and North West, and north of our borders can be found throughout central, east and west Africa. It is listed as being of least concern by the IUCN.
White-crested Helmetshrikes breed in territorial groups numbering 3-10 individuals, their peak egg-laying season being spring and early summer. There is a strict hierarchy within the group, and all members assist in the rearing of the 2-5 chicks, though the dominant pair takes care of the construction of the nest, which is a compact cup made of plant material and spider web. The eggs are incubated for 3 weeks and the chicks leave the nest about the same period of time after hatching, though group members will keep feeding them until they’re over two months old. Outside the breeding season groups often join up to form larger flocks of 20 or more, and often join mixed bird parties as they move quickly from tree to tree.
Adult White-crested Helmetshrikes grow to about 18cm in length and weigh around 34g. They feed primariliy on insects, other invertebrates and small reptiles, but will also consume fruits in season.
DeWetsWild 
Interessant dat hulle naam nie afgelei is van die pertinente geel sirkel om die oog nie
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Partykeer kan mens die naamgewers onder hulle jisse skop!
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Hoekom bly ek dink aan “plat kop dam duiker”? 😉
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Nee, jy het my AJ – hoekom dink jy aan n “plat kop dam duiker”???
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Hulle lyk of hulle plat koppe het… miskien van al die geduikery?? 🙂
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🙂
Helmet hair!?
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Great shots, Dries. I really like the sound of ‘mixed bird parties’. They sound like very jolly occasions. 🤣👍
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It sure does! Like those Austin Powers hippie-parties! 😀
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🤣👯♂️
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Nog nooit die ene te sien gekry nie. KNP is net 40km hiervandaan maar verskeie spesies aard nie in ons area nie. Miskien te veel reen en mis.
Ek het die volgende raakgeloop en gedog jy sal dit interessant vind? Hulle is ongelukkig nie inheems in Suid-Afrika nie! http://artlovenature.co.za/another-artist-from-the-animal-kingdom-bower-bird/
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Sjoe, Petru, die “bower birds” kan darem bou ne! Sulke perfekte konstruksies, daar moet tog intelligensie daaragter sit, of hoe?
En ja, al is die Wildtuin so te se op jou voorstoep is daar darem in groot verskil in klimaat en habitatte tussen julle daar op die platorand en die Laeveld – daar is ook n paar soorte wat by julle sal voorkom wat nie dikwels in die KNP raakgeloop sal word nie.
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Gaan definitief vir my ‘n boek kry om die soort voëls hier uit te ken. Gedog jy sal van die link hou.
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I didn’t realize that small birds like this will congregate into ‘communities’ and even assist in the rearing of young. They sound like very social little birds 🙂
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I think that’s why I am so addicted to wildlife and nature; there’s always something new to learn about even the most commonly seen creatures.
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Not to mention the fact that they are just so entertaining 🙂
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Absolutely!
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Attractive little birds. I can’t remember having come across any.
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The closest places to you where we’ve seen them were at uMkhuze and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, Leslie, in case you want to go find them?
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That’s a very expressive looking bird.
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They’re a personal favourite!
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Rather strange-looking and entertaining birds to see, and so active they are hard to photograph, but you have some great captures.
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Thanks, Carol. Indeed, they seldom play along for the camera.
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Oh Kruger Park … why are you so very far away? Lovely photographs!
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Thanks, Anne!
We’re a lot closer to Kruger than you are, and still for us as well it is agonisingly too far!
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Daardie ogies wat lyk soos plastiek blommetjies, is vir my so mooi. Pragtige foto’s, Dries!
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Hulle maak ons altyd opgewonde!
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Lovely bird with unusual eyes. I have a couple new visitors in the summer. Now most of the birds are flying south for winter!
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That’s also a sad phenomenon for us too at the start of the autumn season.
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My hummingbirds are still around. I don’t know if the parents will stay with the baby.
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A very beautiful bird!😊 It reminds of several other birds, and its eyes is stunning!
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They’re always a treat to see, John
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Oh my goodness…those eyes!
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Looks a bit like a cabaret performer…
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Another beautiful bird!
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Thanks, Deb!
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