Artamus cyanopterus, Dusky Woodswallow

General Description

Long-tailed, medium-small bird. Mostly dark grey-brown, to almost black on the tail. Small dark brown mask from eyes to base of bill. Upperwing is dark blue-grey, underwing white to light grey. Conspicuous white stripe on the leading edge of fore wing and white corners on tail tip. Length 18 cm with wingspan of 32.5 cm.

Biology

Dusky Woodswallows primarily feeds on flying insects caught in flight. Occasionally they will eat nectar, fruit or seeds. They cluster together in roosts of up to 100 birds at night, and sometimes during cold days. After landing and when agitated, the birds fan and twist their tail like a corkscrew.

Distribution

Eastern and Southern Australia

Habitat

Dry, open woodlands, usually dominated by eucalypts, often found at clearings or edges.