Great Woodswallow
Artamus maximus
A medium-sized bird of forest edge, clearings and even towns in the mountains. Dark, slaty gray upperparts and hood down to upper chest. White underparts, rump and a small patch on the edge of the wing. Similar to White-breasted Woodswallow, but Great is found at higher elevations, is larger and gray parts much darker. Voice, a rather scratchy, jumbled song and a nasal “wek!”.
Identification
The great woodswallow (Artamus maximus), also known as the greater woodswallow, giant woodswallow or New Guinea woodswallow, is a species of bird in the family Artamidae. As its name implies, it is the largest member of the genus Artamus, averaging 20 centimetres (7.87 in) in length and 61 grams (2.2 oz) in mass. The great woodswallow is very similar in appearance to the more widespread white-breasted woodswallow, but it can be distinguished by its darker black upper side plumage and by the presence of a semi-oval black patch below the throat.
Taxonomy
Genus: Artamus; Family: Artamidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Artamus maximus
- Authority
- Meyer, AB, 1874
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Artamidae
- Genus
- Artamus
Range and habitat
The great woodswallow occurs naturally in tropical moist montane forest, usually amongst clearings with dead trees, most typically dead emergents above the canopy of primary rainforest. Although the species has been known to be common ever since the first Western explorers of New Guinea, it has adapted very well to human manipulation of the landscape and is especially common near Highland towns such as Mount Hagen and Goroka. Great woodswallows are found as high as 3,000 metres (9,800 ft), but are most abundant between 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) and 2,500 metres (8,200 ft). Unlike the Australian dusky woodswallow, great woodswallows do not reduce their body temperature on cool nights.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
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Large gray-brown bird with a pointed crest on its head and massive orange legs and feet. Resident on the floors of tropical rainforests. This species builds very large nest mounds (so large they almost look like earthworks). Also found in cosmopolitan parks and gardens. Note loud crowing call.
White-rumped Seedeater
Crithagra leucopygia
A very plain gray-brown seedeater with a white belly and a white rump that is usually conspicuous in flight. Found in dry savanna, woodland, and cultivated areas, usually in small flocks, often mixed with other species. Similar to other seedeaters, but easily separated by the white rump. Further separated from Reichenow’s Seedeater by the plainer and less patterned face. The song is a constant stream of musical whistles and trills.
Arctic Tern
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Elegant seabird with extremely long wings and forked tail. Adults are pale gray with white cheek, black cap, and red bill and legs. Very similar to Common Tern; note shorter bill, shorter legs, gray belly, and paler gray wingtips with very limited dark tips. Young birds show partial black cap and black bill and legs; look for pale gray wingtips and stubbier legs to separate from Common Tern. Rarely seen away from breeding grounds on coastal islands or small ponds in the Arctic tundra. Migrates offshore, heading for wintering grounds in Southern Hemisphere.
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