Masked woodswallow: Difference between revisions
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== Description == |
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The Masked Woodswallow (''Artamus personatus'') is a medium sized species of Woodswallow in the bird family Artamidae. ''A.personatus'' is a common, gregarious and highly nomadic species, appearing in large flocks usually with White-browed Woodswallow ''(Artamus superciliosus''). <ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Australian Birds their Nests and Eggs|last=Beruldsen|first=Gordon|publisher=G.Beruldsen|year=2003|isbn=0646427989|location=Kenmore Hills, QLD 4046|pages=376}}</ref>Listed as least concern on the ICUN list. |
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== Field identification == |
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Ranging from 18-20 cm in length with a wingspan of 32-34 cm, weighing approximately 37 grams, the Masked Woodswallow is similar in size to the White-browed Woodswallow. Sexes differ markedly in colour and also in immature plumage. This difference between sexes is unique only to the Masked Woodswallow and White-browed Woodswallow. Adult males have a sharply defined black face mask with a pale edge<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=Field Guide to Australian Birds|last=Morcombe|first=Michael|publisher=Pascal Press|year=2016|isbn=9781740215596|location=Glebe, NSW 2037|pages=329}}</ref>. This mask covers the lores, ear coverts, chin and throat<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title=Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds: Volume 7 Boatbill to Starlings, part A Boatbill to Larks|last=higgins|first=Peter|last2=Peter|first2=John|last3=Cowling|first3=Sid|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2006|isbn=0195539966|location=|pages=412,413,414,416}}</ref>. Upperparts, dark blue grey with a prominent white tip on the tail. Underbody is pale grey, fading to greyish white on under tail coverts. Legs and feet are grey to grey black or black. Adult female is similar to adult male but is slightly browner then male and mask is indistinct<ref name=":1" />. Juveniles are similar to adult females but slightly browner with fletched and mottled buff. |
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== Ecology == |
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==== Diet ==== |
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''A.personatus'' is a mainly insectivorous species that has been observed to hawk or pounce on its prey<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Tischler|first=Max|last2=Dickman|first2=Christopher R|last3=Wardle|first3=Glenda M|date=June 2017|title=Avian functional group responses to rainfall across four vegetation types in the Simpson Desert, central Australia|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/aec.12065|journal=Austral Ecology|volume=38|issue=7|pages=809-819|via=}}</ref>. Nectar also comprises its diet and has been observed occasionally eating fruit. |
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==== Breeding ==== |
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Exclusively pair breeders, consistent with being migratory. ''A.personatus'' shows no ecological segregation with ''A.supercilious'' but no co operative breeding has been recorded as with other ''Artamus'' species<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Joseph|first=Leo|last2=Wilke|first2=Thomas|last3=Ten Have|first3=José|last4=Terry Chesser|first4=R|date=June 2017|title=Implications of mitochondrial DNA polyphyly in two ecologically undifferentiated but morphologically distinct migratory birds, the masked and white-browed woodswallows Artamus spp. of inland Australia|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.0908-8857.2006.03767.x|journal=Journal of Avian Biology|publisher=Blackwell Publishing Ltd|volume=37|issue=6|pages=625-636|via=}}</ref>. ''A.personatus'' breeds throughout most of its distribution range with the exception of eastern and south eastern coastal areas and north of latitude 20°<ref name=":0" />. Usually breeds during spring and summer with annual variation. Breeding frequency is usually once, occasionally twice a year. |
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==== Nesting ==== |
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Similar to the nest of White-breasted Woodswallow (''Artamus leucorynchus'') but less substantial. Usually only one to two metres above the ground, often only a shallow, frail bowl. Has been recorded in; stumps, fallen limbs, bush or scrub, fence posts and protruding bark<ref name=":0" />. Nest materials include twigs and grass, with an upper layer of dry or green grass. Both sexes build the nest.<ref name=":2" /> |
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==== Eggs ==== |
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Pale greyish white to pale greenish grey to light creamy brown. Measuring approximately 22mm x 17mm, usual shape, tapered oval. Indistinguishable from the White-browed Woodswallow<ref name=":2" />. 2-3 per clutch, less commonly 1-4. |
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== Distribution and Habitat == |
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Widespread on mainland Australia, less common in coastal and near coastal areas, Vagrants have been recorded in Tasmania, New Zealand, Norfolk island and Lord Howe island<ref name=":2" />. Mainly inhibit open forest, woodland, heath, roadside and farm tree belts<ref name=":1" />. Mostly occur in arid and semi arid zones.{{Taxobox |
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| name = Masked woodswallow |
| name = Masked woodswallow |
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| image = Masked Woodswallow (15993399881).jpg |
| image = Masked Woodswallow (15993399881).jpg |
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| binomial_authority = [[John Gould|Gould]], 1841 |
| binomial_authority = [[John Gould|Gould]], 1841 |
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| synonyms = }} |
| synonyms = }} |
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The '''masked woodswallow''' (''Artamus personatus'') is a species of [[bird]] in the family [[Artamidae]]. |
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It is found in [[Australia]]. Range: Common nomad, most common in the west of Australia, mainly in drier areas, vagrant Tasmania. |
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Its natural [[habitat]] is subtropical or tropical dry [[forest]]s. Can be found in large flocks also containing the similar white-browed woodswallow. |
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Highly nomadic pale grey with black or dusky face. Male: Black face, underparts delicate grey. Female: Dusky grey face, underparts brownish-grey. Immature: Wing feathers spotted & edged white. Juvenile: Head & body streaked dark & light grey, wing feather spotted & edged white. Voice: Nasal sounding 'Chirp' or 'Check'. Nesting: Cups of new green grass, drying out to become not so green (obviously), in hollow stumps or broken branch tops. Eggs: Speckled greyish, greenish or greyish. 2-3 per lay. |
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[[Image:Masked Woodswallow carpet95.ogg|thumb|300px|left| Carpet Springs, SW Queensland, Australia]] |
[[Image:Masked Woodswallow carpet95.ogg|thumb|300px|left| Carpet Springs, SW Queensland, Australia]] |
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Revision as of 04:42, 13 June 2017
Description
The Masked Woodswallow (Artamus personatus) is a medium sized species of Woodswallow in the bird family Artamidae. A.personatus is a common, gregarious and highly nomadic species, appearing in large flocks usually with White-browed Woodswallow (Artamus superciliosus). [1]Listed as least concern on the ICUN list.
Field identification
Ranging from 18-20 cm in length with a wingspan of 32-34 cm, weighing approximately 37 grams, the Masked Woodswallow is similar in size to the White-browed Woodswallow. Sexes differ markedly in colour and also in immature plumage. This difference between sexes is unique only to the Masked Woodswallow and White-browed Woodswallow. Adult males have a sharply defined black face mask with a pale edge[2]. This mask covers the lores, ear coverts, chin and throat[3]. Upperparts, dark blue grey with a prominent white tip on the tail. Underbody is pale grey, fading to greyish white on under tail coverts. Legs and feet are grey to grey black or black. Adult female is similar to adult male but is slightly browner then male and mask is indistinct[2]. Juveniles are similar to adult females but slightly browner with fletched and mottled buff.
Ecology
Diet
A.personatus is a mainly insectivorous species that has been observed to hawk or pounce on its prey[4]. Nectar also comprises its diet and has been observed occasionally eating fruit.
Breeding
Exclusively pair breeders, consistent with being migratory. A.personatus shows no ecological segregation with A.supercilious but no co operative breeding has been recorded as with other Artamus species[5]. A.personatus breeds throughout most of its distribution range with the exception of eastern and south eastern coastal areas and north of latitude 20°[1]. Usually breeds during spring and summer with annual variation. Breeding frequency is usually once, occasionally twice a year.
Nesting
Similar to the nest of White-breasted Woodswallow (Artamus leucorynchus) but less substantial. Usually only one to two metres above the ground, often only a shallow, frail bowl. Has been recorded in; stumps, fallen limbs, bush or scrub, fence posts and protruding bark[1]. Nest materials include twigs and grass, with an upper layer of dry or green grass. Both sexes build the nest.[3]
Eggs
Pale greyish white to pale greenish grey to light creamy brown. Measuring approximately 22mm x 17mm, usual shape, tapered oval. Indistinguishable from the White-browed Woodswallow[3]. 2-3 per clutch, less commonly 1-4.
Distribution and Habitat
Widespread on mainland Australia, less common in coastal and near coastal areas, Vagrants have been recorded in Tasmania, New Zealand, Norfolk island and Lord Howe island[3]. Mainly inhibit open forest, woodland, heath, roadside and farm tree belts[2]. Mostly occur in arid and semi arid zones.
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| Scientific classification | |
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| Species: | A. personatus
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| Binomial name | |
| Artamus personatus Gould, 1841
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References
- ^ a b c Beruldsen, Gordon (2003). Australian Birds their Nests and Eggs. Kenmore Hills, QLD 4046: G.Beruldsen. p. 376. ISBN 0646427989.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ a b c Morcombe, Michael (2016). Field Guide to Australian Birds. Glebe, NSW 2037: Pascal Press. p. 329. ISBN 9781740215596.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ a b c d higgins, Peter; Peter, John; Cowling, Sid (2006). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds: Volume 7 Boatbill to Starlings, part A Boatbill to Larks. Oxford University Press. pp. 412, 413, 414, 416. ISBN 0195539966.
- ^ Tischler, Max; Dickman, Christopher R; Wardle, Glenda M (June 2017). "Avian functional group responses to rainfall across four vegetation types in the Simpson Desert, central Australia". Austral Ecology. 38 (7): 809–819.
- ^ Joseph, Leo; Wilke, Thomas; Ten Have, José; Terry Chesser, R (June 2017). "Implications of mitochondrial DNA polyphyly in two ecologically undifferentiated but morphologically distinct migratory birds, the masked and white-browed woodswallows Artamus spp. of inland Australia". Journal of Avian Biology. 37 (6). Blackwell Publishing Ltd: 625–636.
- ^ Template:IUCN
