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'''Alternative names: Giant Woodswallow; Greater Woodswallow; Papuan Woodswallow; New Guinea Woodswallow; Black-breasted Woodswallow''' | '''Alternative names: Giant Woodswallow; Greater Woodswallow; Papuan Woodswallow; New Guinea Woodswallow; Black-breasted Woodswallow''' | ||
| + | [[Image:Great_Woodswallow.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|djringer|djringer}}<br />Ukarumpa, Eastern Highlands Province, [[Papua New Guinea]], July 2006]] | ||
| + | |||
;[[:Category:Artamus|Artamus]] maximus | ;[[:Category:Artamus|Artamus]] maximus | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
20-21cm. The biggest Woodswallow: | 20-21cm. The biggest Woodswallow: | ||
* Dark slate grey head, throat and upper breast, upperparts (except rump) and tail | * Dark slate grey head, throat and upper breast, upperparts (except rump) and tail | ||
| − | * White rump, uppertail-coverts and underparts | + | * White rump, uppertail-[[Topography#General Anatomy|coverts]] and underparts |
* Diagnostic white patch on inner leading edge of wing (visible in flight) | * Diagnostic white patch on inner leading edge of wing (visible in flight) | ||
* Dark brown iris | * Dark brown iris | ||
* Pale blue-grey bill with black tip | * Pale blue-grey bill with black tip | ||
| + | [[Image:Great Wood-Swallow - Artamus maximus.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Photo by {{user|mehdhalaouate|mehdhalaouate}}<br />Baliem Valley, [[Indonesia]], August 2007]] | ||
Sexes similar. Immatures have a light buffy mottling on the back and white tips on tail and wings. | Sexes similar. Immatures have a light buffy mottling on the back and white tips on tail and wings. | ||
====Similar species==== | ====Similar species==== | ||
[[White-breasted Woodswallow]] is smaller and has no white patch in wing. | [[White-breasted Woodswallow]] is smaller and has no white patch in wing. | ||
| − | |||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
Endemic to the mountain ranges of [[New Guinea]].<br /> | Endemic to the mountain ranges of [[New Guinea]].<br /> | ||
Fairly common in parts of its range. | Fairly common in parts of its range. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | + | This is a [[Dictionary_M-S#M|monotypic]] species<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>. | |
| + | |||
Forms a superspecies with [[Bismarck Woodswallow]] and [[Ivory-backed Woodswallow]] (and possibly [[Fiji Woodswallow]] and [[White-breasted Woodswallow]]). | Forms a superspecies with [[Bismarck Woodswallow]] and [[Ivory-backed Woodswallow]] (and possibly [[Fiji Woodswallow]] and [[White-breasted Woodswallow]]). | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| − | Clearings and garden areas above 800m. Generally higher than [[White-breasted Woodswallow]] but sympatric at lower elevations. | + | Clearings and garden areas above 800m. Generally higher than [[White-breasted Woodswallow]] but [[Dictionary_P-S#S|sympatric]] at lower elevations. |
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| + | ====Diet==== | ||
Feeds on large insects. | Feeds on large insects. | ||
| − | The prey is | + | The prey is caught in flight and taken back to a perch. Often soaring singly, sometimes in groups. |
| + | ====Breeding==== | ||
Breeding recorded from August to December. The nest is an open cup. It's placed 15m above the ground or higher in a tree. 3 nestlings are usually reported. | Breeding recorded from August to December. The nest is an open cup. It's placed 15m above the ground or higher in a tree. 3 nestlings are usually reported. | ||
| + | ====Movements==== | ||
A resident species. | A resident species. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | #{{Ref- | + | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug13}}#{{Ref-HBWVol14}} |
{{ref}} | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Artamus+maximus}} | {{GSearch|Artamus+maximus}} | ||
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Artamus]] | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Artamus]] | ||
Latest revision as of 22:22, 9 August 2014
Alternative names: Giant Woodswallow; Greater Woodswallow; Papuan Woodswallow; New Guinea Woodswallow; Black-breasted Woodswallow
- Artamus maximus
Identification
20-21cm. The biggest Woodswallow:
- Dark slate grey head, throat and upper breast, upperparts (except rump) and tail
- White rump, uppertail-coverts and underparts
- Diagnostic white patch on inner leading edge of wing (visible in flight)
- Dark brown iris
- Pale blue-grey bill with black tip
Sexes similar. Immatures have a light buffy mottling on the back and white tips on tail and wings.
Similar species
White-breasted Woodswallow is smaller and has no white patch in wing.
Distribution
Endemic to the mountain ranges of New Guinea.
Fairly common in parts of its range.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Forms a superspecies with Bismarck Woodswallow and Ivory-backed Woodswallow (and possibly Fiji Woodswallow and White-breasted Woodswallow).
Habitat
Clearings and garden areas above 800m. Generally higher than White-breasted Woodswallow but sympatric at lower elevations.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds on large insects. The prey is caught in flight and taken back to a perch. Often soaring singly, sometimes in groups.
Breeding
Breeding recorded from August to December. The nest is an open cup. It's placed 15m above the ground or higher in a tree. 3 nestlings are usually reported.
Movements
A resident species.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Great Woodswallow. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 26 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Great_Woodswallow
