Dusky Woodswallow

Dusky Woodswallow Biography
 Dusky Woodswallow often occurs in flocks, it is a surprisingly aggressive species. During the breeding season, they may chase other Dusky Woodswallows from their nest sites, and they have even been observed fighting in territorial disputes. Other species of woodswallows are also chased away from nests sites, and they will even chase raptors, such as Square-tailed Kites away. Other potential predators are vigorously mobbed, and the woodswallow has a special ‘mobbing call’ which attracts others to join the fray.

The Dusky Woodswallow is a smoky deep brown to grey bird. The wings are dark blue grey, edged white, the tail is black with a broad white tip and the underwings are silvery-white. The bill is blue tipped black and the eye is dark brown. Young birds are grey-brown, streaked and mottled buff to cream. This species moves in flocks of 10 to 30 birds, which cluster together to roost.

The Dusky Woodswallow has two separate populations. The eastern population is found from Atherton Tableland, Queensland south to Tasmania and west to Eyre Peninsula, South Australia. The other population is found The Dusky Woodswallow is found in open forests and woodlands, and may be seen along roadsides and on golf courses. in south-west Western Australia.

The Dusky Woodswallow feeds on insects taken on the wing, as well as from foliage and on the ground. It also eats nectar from flowers. Dusky Woodswallow nests colonially in 'neighbourhoods' The nest is a loose bowl of twigs, grass and roots, lined with fine grass, and is placed in a tree fork, behind bark, in a stump hollow or in a fence post, about 1 m - 10 m above the ground. Each pair builds the nest, incubates the eggs and feeds the young.

Dusky Woodswallow

Dusky Woodswallow

Dusky Woodswallow

Dusky Woodswallow

Dusky Woodswallow

Dusky Woodswallow

Dusky Woodswallow

Dusky Woodswallow

Dusky Woodswallow

Australian Birds-Dusky Woodswallow

Wood Swallows Nesting 1