The White-breasted Woodswallow, Artamus leucorynchus, is a small
passerine bird
 which
breeds from the Andaman Islands east through Indonesia and northern
Australia. The name "woodswallow" is a misnomer as they are not closely
related to true swallows. Instead, they belong to the family Artamidae,
which also includes butcherbirds, currawongs and the Australian Magpie.
The species was first described by Linnaeus in 1771, its specific
epithet derived fro m
the Ancient Greek words leucos 'white', and rhynchos 'bill'.
This woodswallow's soft-plumage is charcoal grey apart from the white
underparts that give the species its English and scientific names.
Despite its brush-tipped tongue, usually associated with nectar feeders,
it catches insects on the wing.
The white-breasted Woodswallow has large, pointed wings and is very
agile in powered and gliding flight. This is a nomadic species,
following the best conditions for flying insects, and often roosting in
large flocks.
The nest is a small structure built on a branch. The normal clutch is
three eggs. |
