Photo: Henrik Grønvold / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Rufous-bellied Helmetshrike
Prionops rufiventris
Rufous-bellied Helmetshrike (Prionops rufiventris) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Rufous-bellied Helmetshrike (Prionops rufiventris) is a member of the Vangidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 50 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Vangidae Vangas & Allies
- Genus Prionops
- Species rufiventris
Quick facts
- Weight
- 50 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Vangidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Endangered
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Rufous-bellied Helmetshrike is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Rufous-bellied Helmetshrike is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Rufous-bellied Helmetshrike (Prionops rufiventris) is a member of the Vangidae family, within the order Passeriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF c.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 50 g, with a wing length of about 10.9 cm and a tail of around 7.4 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 1.9 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Rufous-bellied Helmetshrike?
The Rufous-bellied Helmetshrike is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 50 g.
Where does the Rufous-bellied Helmetshrike live?
The Rufous-bellied Helmetshrike is found across Africa with a range covering AF c, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Rufous-bellied Helmetshrike belong to?
The Rufous-bellied Helmetshrike (Prionops rufiventris) belongs to the Vangidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Rufous-bellied Helmetshrike eat?
The Rufous-bellied Helmetshrike is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Rufous-bellied Helmetshrike migrate?
The Rufous-bellied Helmetshrike is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Rufous-bellied Helmetshrike endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Rufous-bellied Helmetshrike make?
1 real field recording of the Rufous-bellied Helmetshrike — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Rufous-bellied Helmetshrike's range?
The Rufous-bellied Helmetshrike has a mapped global range of about 1.9 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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