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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Artamidae
  4. ›
  5. Artamus
  6. ›
  7. Dusky Woodswallow
Dusky Woodswallow
Photo · (c) Donald Davesne, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Dusky Woodswallow

Artamus cyanopterus(Latham, 1801)

Updated 11 June 2026

Origin: Endemic
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Artamidae
Genus
Artamus

At a glance

The Dusky Woodswallow is a small bird, about 16–20 cm long, endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
16–20 cm
Origin
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Endemic
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Voice
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Dusky Woodswallow look like?

The Dusky Woodswallow is a small bird, about 16–20 cm long and weighing 26–46 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. 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.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
16–20 cm
Weight
26–46.4 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Dusky Woodswallow?

The Dusky Woodswallow is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

04 · Voice

What it sounds like

Call

Maria Duynisveld · Mount Nelson Signal Station, Nelson Rd, Mount Nelson TAS 7007, Australia

Call

AmandaF · Tenterfield, AU-NS, AU

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Dusky Woodswallow eat?

The Dusky Woodswallow feeds on fruit and terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or flocks.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

4 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Dusky Woodswallow live in Australia?

The Dusky Woodswallow is endemic to Australia, recorded across 67 of Australia’s bioregions, with a core range spanning south and east Australia and Tasmania.

BreedingSouth and east Australia and Tasmania

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Breeding

8 regions recorded