White-crested Helmetshrike

Withelmlaksman · Prionops plumatus

A sociable woodland shrike, pied grey, black and white with a soft crest and a striking yellow fleshy ring around the eye. It lives in cooperative family groups that forage together and breed as a team, with helpers feeding the chicks. Flocks flit through the canopy in loose follow-the-leader fashion, keeping up a constant chattering and bill-snapping.

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How to identify it

Grey, black and white with a fluffy grey crest and a bright yellow eye-wattle ring; almost always travels in chattering groups.

Listen for its call

Chattering churrs with sharp bill-snaps — the whole flock natters together.

Where to see it in Kruger

Resident in open woodland park-wide, moving through in restless flocks of six to a dozen that follow each other tree to tree.

Did you know

These birds live in friendly gangs, and older brothers and sisters help their parents feed the new babies.

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