Great Woodswallow Artamus maximus Scientific name definitions

20–21 cm; 52–69 g. Has head and throat to upper breast and upper­parts (except rump) and tail dark slate-grey; rump uppertail-coverts and underparts white  ; white patch  on inner leading edge of wing ­diagnostic in flight; iris dark brown; bill  pale blue-grey, tip black; legs dark blue-grey. Distin­gui­shed from A. leucoryn by larger size, darker plumage coloration, white wing patch. Sexes similar. Immature has light buffy mottling on back and white tips on wing and tail.

Mountain ranges of New Guinea, from 800 m to 2800 m.

Mainly clearings and garden areas with dead trees, above 800 m; occasionally in tall emergents above canopy of primary forest. Sympatric with A. leucoryn at lower elevations.

Resident, so far as is known.

Insects, often quite large ones. Prey usually taken in flight and brought back to a perch, where held in the feet for dismembering. Launches sorties from tall perches, and soars  sometimes for long spells (e.g. 135 seconds) without a wingbeat. Usually solitary when on the wing; sociable at other times.

Chattering "kaka­kaka..." given by perched groups; also an upslurred "chirp" or "cheep", often in flight. Seldom heard song a prolonged soft jumble of squawks, chirps, scratchy notes, short trills, and mimicry of other bird species.

Breeding recorded in Aug–Dec (from middle of dry season to early wet season). Nest an open cup, usually more than 15 m up in dead tree. Most reports are of three nestlings fed by both parents and by other group-members. No other information.

Not globally threatened. Widely distributed throughout all mountain ranges of New Guinea, where fairly common to scarce. In some places seems to be commensal with humans in towns.