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Black-faced Woodswallow |
Sightings
Black-faced Woodswallows were spotted by us for the first time 20 km south-west of Narrabri, New South Wales in September 2006. Although listed as nomadic, they were seen again in the same location in February 2008.
Also seen by us in many different places along the Darling River and into South Australia in March 2008.
Photos
Family of Black-faced Woodswallows (click on image for larger version)
Frontal view of a Black-faced Woodswallow
Lateral view of a Black-faced Woodswallow shaking its feathers
Back of a Black-faced Woodswallow
Black-faced Woodswallows on a dead tree; note the underwing pattern of the bird on the right; this probably indicates that it is a hybrid
Black-faced Woodswallow in a "hairpin bend"
Habits
We have seen Black-faced Woodswallows in a flock of about 10, executing extreme flight manouvers with very tight bends. Although a relatively small bird, one can hear the air swishing through their wing feathers in these tight bends. Their behavioural patterns are in some respects reminiscent of raptors - They can hover in flight before diving down like falcons. In others they resemble more those of Rainbow Bee-eaters, for example when using long halms as perches for hunting in grassland.