Bismarck Woodswallow Artamus insignis Scientific name definitions

18–19 cm; 49–54 g. Head , throat, wing and tail  are sooty black, remainder of plumage white; iris brown, pale greyish-blue eyering; bill pale blue-grey, tip black; legs pale blue-grey. Differs from <em>A. maximus</em> in slightly smaller size, white (not dark) back. Sexes similar. Immature has head tinged with brown, hindneck grey-brown (not white), and remiges and outer rectrices tipped white.

New Britain and New Ireland, in Bismarck Archipelago.

Tropical moist lowland forest, including clearings and adjoining gardens; mainly in hills to 900 m, locally also in adjoining lowlands.

Resident; reluctant to cross water, though has been recorded as vagrant to Watom (off NE New Britain).

Insects. Prey taken on the wing. Makes aerial sorties from perches in dead trees; soars more in manner of A. maximus than does A. leucoryn. Usually seen in groups of up to ten individuals.

A piercing upslurred, high "zwink zwink" the only call  reported. Presumed song is a quiet fantail-like scratchy warble.

No information.

Not globally threatened. Locally common, but mostly either scarce or absent. Restricted to New Britain and New Ireland; absent from outlying islands in Bismarck Archipelago. Estimated to have lost 12% of its habitat on New Britain during 1990–2000.