Helmet Vanga
Euryceros prevostii
The Helmet Vanga (Euryceros prevostii) is a legendary vangas, helmetshrikes, and alli found only in Madagascar, weighing about 97 g. The helmet vanga is a distinctive-looking bird of the vanga family, Vangidae, and is classified in its own genus, Euryceros.
About the Helmet Vanga
The helmet vanga is a distinctive-looking bird of the vanga family, Vangidae, and is classified in its own genus, Euryceros. It is mainly blue-black, with rufous wings and a huge arched blue bill. It is restricted to lowland and lower montane rainforests of northeastern Madagascar. Its diet is composed of invertebrates, predominantly insects. The species is threatened by habitat loss.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The helmet vanga is a large vanga, the second-largest species of vanga after the sickle-billed vanga. In length it measures 28 to 31 cm (11–12 in), and it weighs 84 to 114 g (3.0–4.0 oz). The most distinctive feature is the massive hooked bill, which is 51 mm (2.0 in) long and 30 mm (1.2 in) deep. The plumage of the head, neck, throat, breast and belly is a solid blue-black, as are the primary coverts and remiges of the wing. The mantle, the back, and the rest of the wings are rufous. The tail, which is long and broad, is black below and rufous above. The bill is bright blue with a black tip.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in October. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Helmet Vanga?
- The helmet vanga is a large vanga, the second-largest species of vanga after the sickle-billed vanga. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Helmet Vanga?
- The Helmet Vanga is a medium sized bird weighing about 97 g.
- Where can you see a Helmet Vanga?
- The Helmet Vanga is endemic to Madagascar, which is the only country where it occurs.
- What birds look similar to a Helmet Vanga?
- The Helmet Vanga is most easily confused with the Rufous-bellied Helmetshrike, the Van Dam's Vanga and the Grey-crested Helmetshrike.
- Is the Helmet Vanga endangered?
- The Helmet Vanga is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Helmet Vanga for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.