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 2 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Great_Woodswallow
