Alternative name: Helmet Bird
- Euryceros prevostii
Identification
28 - 31cm (11-12¼ in). A large and highly distinctive vanga:
- Blue massive hooked bill with black tip
- Rather long and broad tail
- Black head, alula, primary coverts, remiges and underparts
- Blue-black rump and outer tail feathers
- Rufous mantle, scapulars, back, secondary coverts and central pair of tail feathers
- Pale cream eye
Sexes similar. Juveniles have black areas replaced by pale buff and rufous areas replaced by dark brown. The bill is initially horn-coloured.
Distribution
North-east Madagascar.
An uncommon restricted-range species. The habitat is rapidly lost in this region and the population is likely to decline further.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Lowland and lower montane rainforests. Occurs at 200 - 1800m, usually at 400 - 900m.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds on insects (like cockroaches, butterflies, crickets or beetles) but takes also frogs, geckos, chameleons and lizards.
Forages in the middle level of forest, often remaining without moving for long periods on a perch and then difficult to find. Usually seen singly or in mixed-species flocks with other vangas, Madagascar Cuckooshrike and other birds.
Breeding
Breeding season from October to January. A monogamous species. The nest is a cup made from mosses, woven plant fibres and twigs. It's placed 2 - 4m above the ground in a tree or inside a palm-leaf whorl. Lays 2 - 3 eggs.
Movements
Probably a sedentary species.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2017. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2017, with updates to August 2017. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Helmet Vanga. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 10 June 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Helmet_Vanga
