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White-browed Woodswallow

Did you know?

Woodswalllows roost together in tight clusters at night, as well as during cold weather and storms.

Calls
Musical: 'chep, chep'; also soft chattering, harsh scoldings and some mimicry.
Facts and Figures
Research Species: 
No
Minimum Size: 
19cm
Maximum Size: 
21cm
Average size: 
20cm
Average weight: 
37g
Breeding season: 
August to December
Clutch Size: 
Two to three.
Incubation: 
16 days
Nestling Period: 
15 days
Conservation Status
Federal: 
Secure
NSW: 
Secure
NT: 
Secure
QLD: 
Secure
SA: 
Secure
TAS: 
Secure
VIC: 
Secure
WA: 
Secure
Basic Information
Scientific Name: 
Artamus superciliosus
Atlas Number: 
545
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: 
Field guide to the birds of Australia, 6th Edition
Finches, Bowerbirds and Other Passerines of Australia.
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