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White-Crested (White) Helmet-Shrike (a rather wet and ruffled looking one)

Seen this bird, not that often mind you, from just south of the Crocodile river to just south of the Okavango where it travels from west to east.

Saw a flock of about 7 a few weekends away just outside Punda.

Awesome, one of my favourite birds, I love the way they seem to float from tree to tree like butterflies. I remember seeing them frequently in the south of the park (particularly around Pretoriuskop) in the mid 90's but the last couple of times I've been I havent seen them at all, although I did see Redbilled (Retz's?) Helmetshrikes in Mopani camp which was a first for me. Has there been a decline in their numbers lately or have I just been in the right places at the wrong times?

Fuzz

fuzzmonkey, I think you were just plain unlucky. Meinfam recently saw more than twenty together in one big bird party. Check out the thread. Go up the page about eight posts until you find the initial one posted by Meinfam.

Another, and somewhat better photo , I have of these birds.
They are regular visitors to the area around our house in Marloth. Quite strange that clicking sound they make….

Larger view

Still to collect one of these...Jumbo shrikes to me are an amazing family of birds...thanks for sharing this with us

Hi Johan,

Good call on your sighting!

3. White-crested Helmet-Shrike (juv): The striking white markings on the black wing, white outer tail feathers and hint of grey "crest" on forecrown gives it away. The fact that the eye is dark (instead of yellow) and the eyering is only barely visible points to this being a juvenile.

One of a party of at least 9 birds feeding along the roadside.



Barcud

No helmet coloration.

Wow Nannie, what an interesting sighting!

During our last visit to our house in Marloth, the White-crested Helmet-Shrikes gave me great opportunity to get close-ups of them…in the heat of the day they came to sit on our burglar bars to enjoy the shade created by the roof overhang. They were not able to see me inside the house so I got very close to take these photos through the windows.

Larger view

Larger view

Thanks Jumbo, your close-ups are great.A friend here calls them "Vere" (feathers), think that is very apt as they do appear to float along. Just like feathers floating in the wind.

Snapped this one at Tsendze Rustic Camp in KNP.

Some lovely pictures here!

We recently saw a group of about 7 flying from tree to tree just North of Croc Bridge. Manage to geta shot of one (not as good as many on this thread though... ). Our first ID'ed sighting of these lovely birds!

Pafuri, January 2011


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