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White-breasted Woodswallow

(Artamus leucorynchus)
Size: 16-18 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

White-breasted Woodswallows inhabit most of the eastern half of the Australian continent, plus the northern coastal areas, from about Lake McLeod via the Kimberleys, the top end of the NT and all of QLD down to the NSW mid-north coast. Inland, their distribution ranges further south, to about the NSW/VIC border, including most of the red centre (except most of WA and southern SA). Not found along the south-eastern seaboard or Tasmania.

White-breasted Woodswallows can be found in many different habitats, from wet forests to semi-arid plains.

Sightings

White-breasted Woodswallows sometimes stay at the billabong on our former neighbour's property, 20 km south of Narrabri, NSW.

First identified in 2005, spotted again in October 2006 and in February 2008 in the township of Narrabri. Seen again at Narrabri Lake during the 2010 and 2011 breeding season.

Photos

Close-up frontal view of a White-breasted Woodswallow

Pair of White-breasted Woodswallows seen from below

Here a bird seen from behind

White-breasted Woodswallow seen from below

Frontal view of a White-breasted Woodswallow in flight

Lateral view of a White-breasted Woodswallow in flight

Closer look at a White-breasted Woodswallow in flight, on an overcast day

Here a family huddled together on a dead branch

Fledgling White-breasted Woodswallow waiting to be fed

Here two youngsters waiting to be fed

Now seen from the side

Here seen spreading their wings

Breeding information

Breeding season: Aug - Jan Eggs: 3 - 4 Incubation period: ? Fledging age: ?

Given the right conditions (e.g. absence of frost), White-breasted Woodswallows can breed any time of the year.

Nest

Type: Basket Material: Twigs, rootlets, dry grass Height above ground: 4 - 30 m

The nest shown below was found in an urban park, next to a walking track, with frequent traffic on foot. Nevertheless, it was at a height of only 4 m, possibly less (the photos were taken from the ground).

White-breasted Woodswallow nest; until early December 2011 no chicks were seen in it

White-breasted Woodswallow returning to its nest with food; the bird nested weeks later, so this meal must have been for itself

Next it sat down gingerly on its nest again...

... while making sure that that human observer was no threat

Here the same bird seen nesting a month later

A few weeks later, this chick was seen leaving the nest, first cautious...

...then a bit more curious; the chick is still only about 20 cm from its nest at this point (photo courtesy of R. Druce)

Eggs

Size: 23 x 17 mm Colour: Light-brown, with tiny mid-brown speckles Shape: Tapered oval

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal Mobility: Sedentary Elementary unit: Flock

Food

Like all members of the Artamus family known to us, hunt small insects which they devour in-flight.