White-browed Woodswallow.
Photo: K Vang and W Dabrowka © Bird Explorers
White-browed Woodswallow.
Photo: K Vang and W Dabrowka © Bird Explorers
Distribution map of Artamus superciliosus
Map © Birds Australia Birdata
White-browed Woodswallow
Scientific name: Artamus superciliosus
Family: Artamidae
Order: Passeriformes
What does it look like?
Description
The White-browed Woodswallow is a dark bird with a distinctive white eyebrow. The face and chin are black, the upperparts are deep blue grey and the lower breast to undertail is a rich chestnut brown. The underwings and undertail are pale whitish-grey, with white tail tips. Females are duller than males, with a browner body and pink to fawn underparts. Young birds are mainly brown, mottled and streaked buff to cream, and lack the white brow. This species is colonial and travels in large flocks that roost together in tight clusters.
Similar species
The White-browed Woodswallow is the most 'colourful' of the woodswallows, which tend to be more subtle greys and browns, and the chestnut brown chest contrasts strongly with the pale underwings in flight. Often travels with Masked Woodswallows, A. personatus.
Where does it live?
Distribution
The White-browed Woodswallow is widespread throughout eastern Australia, with some vagrants to northern Tasmania. It is not found on Cape York Peninsula and is only irregularly found in Western Australia.
Habitat
The White-browed Woodswallow is found in a wide range of inland habitats, from eucalypt forests and woodlands to dry heaths and spinifex. It can also be found in farmlands, orchards and towns.
Seasonal movements
Nomadic; partial migrant, moving north in autumn and south in spring.
What does it do?
Feeding
The White-browed Woodswallow eats insects, catching them on the wing or foraging in foliage or on the ground. Like other woodswallows, this species has a divided, brush-tipped tongue that can be used to feed on nectar from flowers.
Breeding
The White-browed Woodswallow builds a loose shallow nest from twigs, grasses and roots, which is placed in a tree fork, hollow stump or fence post, about 1 m to 6 m above the ground. Both sexes build the nest, incubate the eggs and feed the young.
References
Strahan, R. (ed) 1996. Finches, Bowerbirds and Other Passerines of Australia. Angus and Robertson and the National Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife, Sydney.
Simpson, K and Day, N. 1999. Field guide to the birds of Australia, 6th Edition. Penguin Books, Australia.