White-backed Swallow
Cheramoeca leucosterna
The White-backed Swallow (Cheramoeca leucosterna) is a rare swallow found only in Australia, weighing about 14 g. The white-backed swallow is a member of the swallow family Hirundinidae and is endemic to Australia.
About the White-backed Swallow
The white-backed swallow is a member of the swallow family Hirundinidae and is endemic to Australia. It is the only species placed in the genus Cheramoeca. As with all swallows, it is characterised by adaptation to aerial feeding. It can be identified by its white back, surrounded by black wings and tail. It has a wide distribution, from the southern part of the Australian continent, up to the Tropic of Capricorn. The white-backed swallow prefers grasslands and will create a burrow nest.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
An adult white-backed swallow averages 15 cm long, similar in size to other swallows found in Australia. The adult has a mottled grey cap above white eyebrows and a grey eye. It has a dark stripe running from the lores and across the nape of the neck. The back and most of the breast is white. The belly, wings and tail are black. The white-backed swallow has a deeply forked tail, with curved and pointed wings. The short bill is black; the legs and feet are grey. It has a slender, streamlined body. The eyes consist of a prominent, dark iris.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in September. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a White-backed Swallow?
- An adult white-backed swallow averages 15 cm long, similar in size to other swallows found in Australia. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a White-backed Swallow?
- The White-backed Swallow is a tiny sized bird weighing about 14 g.
- Where can you see a White-backed Swallow?
- The White-backed Swallow is endemic to Australia, which is the only country where it occurs.
- What birds look similar to a White-backed Swallow?
- The White-backed Swallow is most easily confused with the Tawny-headed Swallow, the Sri Lanka Swallow and the Mosque Swallow.
- Is the White-backed Swallow endangered?
- The White-backed Swallow is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the White-backed Swallow 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.