Gabela helmet-shrike  (Prionops gabela)

This poorly known, slate-grey bird has not been recorded since the mid 1970s (3). Its dark body contrasts with the white-tipped tail, and bright red eyes and bill (2). Helmet-shrikes are among the most predatory of all passerines, and possess strong legs and sharp claws for holding prey, and a hooked bill with a tooth-like point on the upper part (4).

Known only from a small area near Gabela, western Angola (3).

The Gabela helmet-shrike inhabits the canopy of secondary forest, forest underplanted with coffee, and has also been collected from dry thicket and cultivated areas (3).

Almost nothing is known about the biology of the uncommon Gabela helmet-shrike. A female was found in a breeding condition in September (3), and like other shrikes, it is likely to feed primarily on insects (4).

Due to the restricted range of the Gabela helmet-shrike, the destruction of its habitat poses the greatest threat to this species (3). In the past, the forests in the Gabela region have been almost entirely utilized for coffee production (5); a habitat alteration which does not appear to have greatly impacted the canopy-dwelling Gabela helmet-shrike. However, the encroachment of subsistence agriculture into the forest does pose a threat to the Gabela helmet-shrike, as unlike coffee production, this involves the removal of the canopy trees (2). In some areas up to 95 percent of the forest canopy has been removed to plant cassava, maize, bananas and sweet potato (2).

The designation of a protected area, the Gabela Nature Reserve, was proposed, but unfortunately has not materialised (2) (5). This would have offered the Gabela helmet-shrike significant protection from the threat of agriculture. Other conservation measures, including surveys of the species and the remaining forest, have been recommended (2), but unfortunately the military situation and civil unrest in Angola currently prevents any action from being taken.

For further information on the Gabela helmet-shrike see:

• BirdLife International:
  www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=6206&m=0

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