
White-crested Helmetshrike
The white-crested helmetshrike (Prionops plumatus), also known as the white helmetshrike, is a species of passerine bird in the helmetshrike family Prionopidae, formerly usually included in the Malaconotidae.
Species insights
Recorded year-round
Recorded in every month, so no month is the wrong month to look. We would rather say that than invent a best time.
Curve from 880 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property and not from this province. Single-month spikes are discarded as upload artefacts, and below 50 records we show no curve at all.
Mpumalanga and beyond
Provinces where White-crested Helmetshrike is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
880 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the White-crested Helmetshrike
Stays that give back
Across Mpumalanga
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Forest biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 3,800 a night
White-crested Helmetshrike recorded here · Savanna biome · Impala · Spotted hyena
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 11,980 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Grassland biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 1,500 a night
White-crested Helmetshrike recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
From R 10,670 a night
White-crested Helmetshrike recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 17,400 a night
White-crested Helmetshrike recorded here · Savanna biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
White-crested Helmetshrike recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 17,500 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Grassland biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 2,550 a night
White-crested Helmetshrike recorded here · Savanna biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Giraffe · Plains zebra
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 3,300 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Aardvark · African elephant
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
Price on request
Savanna biome · Giraffe · Warthog
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 2,473 a night
Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Zululand Conservation Trust and 1 other
From R 22,680 a night
Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
Price on request
Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 9,024 a night
Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Price on request
Savanna biome · Leadwood · Leopard
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 28,990 a night
Savanna biome · Hippopotamus · African elephant
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 14,000 a night
Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Price on request
Savanna biome · Jackalberry · Ana tree
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 3,500 a night
Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Price on request
Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Price on request
Birder friendly · Grassland biome
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 1,200 a night
Birder friendly · Grassland biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 1,700 a night
iSimangaliso wetlands, sand forest, and Sodwana reefs
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the White-crested Helmetshrike
Hosts have recorded the White-crested Helmetshrike at stays in or beside Kruger National Park and Sabi Sand Game Reserve.
Best hours of the day
- The first hours after sunrise, and late afternoon. Birds call and feed most in the cool.
- Midday. Quieter, especially in summer heat.
Where to base yourself
- LimpopoSelf-driveStays in Limpopo
- MpumalangaGuided drivesStays in Mpumalanga
Ways to look
Species
Prionops plumatus
Records
880
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the White-crested Helmetshrike on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the White-crested Helmetshrike in Mpumalanga?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the White-crested Helmetshrike at stays in or beside Kruger National Park and Sabi Sand Game Reserve. A record means a host has seen it on the property or nearby, which makes these the places to base yourself; it is never a guarantee of a sighting on any given day.
Where can you see the White-crested Helmetshrike in South Africa?
The White-crested Helmetshrike is most recorded in Mpumalanga (43% of records), Limpopo (33% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (19% of records), based on 880 iNaturalist observations. 11 places to stay on Spekboom in Mpumalanga have recorded the White-crested Helmetshrike on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the White-crested Helmetshrike?
The White-crested Helmetshrike is recorded throughout the year, so no month is the wrong month to look for it. For the parks where hosts record it most, these are the best seasons they give. Kruger National Park: Apr-Sep; Sabi Sand Game Reserve: year-round, dry season May-Sep optimal. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the White-crested Helmetshrike?
The white-crested helmetshrike (Prionops plumatus), also known as the white helmetshrike, is a species of passerine bird in the helmetshrike family Prionopidae, formerly usually included in the Malaconotidae.
























