Masked Woodswallow

Artamus personatus (Gould, 1841)

Masked Woodswallow, Artamus personatus, is a passerine of the family Artamidae that breeds across mainland Australia, apart from northern Cape York Peninsula and Tasmania, and is a partial migrant to the north. It is widespread on the mainland and is most often found in open forest, woodland, heath, roadside plantings and farm shelterbelts, especially in arid and semi-arid country. The adult male has a sharply marked black facial mask with a pale border, while the female is browner and less clearly marked. It is a common, social and highly nomadic bird, often seen in large flocks, frequently alongside White-browed Woodswallows.

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Artamidae — Woodswallows, Butcherbirds & Allies

Breeding range

Australasia: Australia (except n Cape York Pen. and Tasmania)

Nonbreeding range

partial migrant to n