Ivory-backed Woodswallow
Artamus monachus
A chunky slate-gray and white bird with a heavy, pale blue bill. A gregarious bird of forest and forest edge in the lowlands and mountains. Usually encountered in small groups, either gliding above the canopy or perched high up on dead snags, from which it regularly sallies. Note the white back, which separates this species from White-breasted Woodswallow. Ivory-backed also prefers forested areas, avoiding extensive open country. Calls include a series of metallic chirps.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Artamus monachus
- Authority
- Bonaparte, 1850
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Artamidae
- Genus
- Artamus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds

Square-tailed Kite
Lophoictinia isura
Uncommon, inconspicuous raptor with a fairly small bill. Adult has a pale head and reddish underparts with black streaks on neck. Juvenile has a more reddish head with less streaking. In flight, tail has obvious square corners with a dark band at the base. Sails over forest woodland habitats just above the tree canopy, typically with little wing movement. Occurs singly or in pairs. At a distance, and particularly when heavily worn, take care to identify juvenile birds from Black Kite, which has more uniformly patterned plumage.

Black Honeyeater
Sugomel nigrum
Tiny nomadic honeyeater with thin decurved bill, found across arid inland Australia. Male has completely black upperparts and black hood that extends down the center of the breast to a rough point. Female gray-brown above, with mottled dark marks on pale brown underparts. Often attracted to areas of flowering Eremophila bushes. Call a long, high-pitched whistle, repeated slowly.

Biak Triller
Lalage leucoptera
A medium-sized bird of lowland forest canopy on Biak Island, in northwestern New Guinea. Male is black above and white below, with extensive white in the wing. Female is similar, but dark gray-brown above. Song is a steadily rising up-and-down series of hiccuping whistles: “wi’di-DEE, wi’di-DEE!”
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.