Dusky Woodswallow
Artamus cyanopterus
The Dusky Woodswallow (Artamus cyanopterus) is a uncommon woodswallows, bellmagpies, and alli found in 2 countries, weighing about 35 g. The dusky woodswallow is a bird species of forests and woodlands in temperate and subtropical regions, extending into tropical areas around the Atherton Tableland, in eastern and southern Australia.
About the Dusky Woodswallow
The dusky woodswallow is a bird species of forests and woodlands in temperate and subtropical regions, extending into tropical areas around the Atherton Tableland, in eastern and southern Australia. The global population of the species has as yet not been formally confirmed, but it has been officially rated in the range of 'Least Concern', according to the BirdLife International in 2004. As such, the bird could be described as common in its local habitat.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The dusky woodswallow is medium-sized and swallow-like, with a dark brown hue, but there have been instances where the bird has appeared grey. The birds have a black patch in front of the eyes, and grey (sometimes also black) wings with white streaks on them. The dusky woodswallow has a black, white-tipped tail with a silver underwing. The birds have a blue-grey bill capped with black. Dusky woodswallows are known to spontaneously 'wag' or swivel their tails fervently, a trait which is common among many other species of woodswallow.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in October. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Dusky Woodswallow?
- The dusky woodswallow is medium-sized and swallow-like, with a dark brown hue, but there have been instances where the bird has appeared grey. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Dusky Woodswallow?
- The Dusky Woodswallow is a small sized bird weighing about 35 g.
- Where can you see a Dusky Woodswallow?
- The Dusky Woodswallow occurs in 2 countries, including Australia and New Zealand.
- What birds look similar to a Dusky Woodswallow?
- The Dusky Woodswallow is most easily confused with the Ashy Woodswallow, the Black-faced Woodswallow and the White-browed Woodswallow.
- Is the Dusky Woodswallow endangered?
- The Dusky Woodswallow is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Dusky Woodswallow for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.