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Dusky Woodswallow (Artamus cyanopterus) Alternate name(s): "Sordid Wood-swallow", "Jacky Martin", "Bee-bird", "Bluey", "Martin*", "Skimmer*" Aboriginal name(s): Race "cyanopterus": "bewoen*", "wol", "booan" (WA) Size: 17-18 cm Body mass: 28-41 g

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Similar species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Dusky Woodswallows are medium-sized woodswallows. Their plumage is dark grey-brown, except for the uppertail and the wings, which are dark-grey. The wings have prominent white outer wing stripe. The eyes have dark irises. The short, pointy, nearly triangular-shaped bill is bluish-grey, with a black tip. The legs and feet are grey. Juveniles have highly cryptic, more brownish plumage throughout, with heavy streaking on front and back dark grey-brown wing and tail feathers. The wings already have the characteristic prominent white wing stripe. The bill is brownish, with a dark tip.

Taxonomy, classification See Dusky Woodswallow at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org . The global distribution of the Dusky Woodswallow is available HERE . Dusky Woodswallows are endemic to Australia. They are found in the southern and eastern parts of the Australian continent. Race "cyanopterus" is present in the south-eastern part of SA, eastward of Eyre peninsula, all of VIC and in the Great Dividing Range and associated coastal fringe of NSW. Their non-breeding range extends into subtropical south-eastern QLD. Occasionally, in favourable conditions, they can extend their range farther North, to the base of Cape York peninsula, and farther West and South-West, to comprise the entire eastern half of QLD, the Murray-Darling basin (except the Paroo River catchment) in outback NSW and the Flinders and Gammon Ranges in SA. They are also found in Tasmania and on the smaller islands along Bass Strait. Race "perthi" is found in southern WA, up to a line connecting about Geraldton, WA, with Kalgoorlie, WA, and along a narrow coastal fringe through the Nullarbor into the south-western part of SA and Eyre peninsula. Both races are most common - and breed - in the southern parts of their range. Dusky Woodswallows have a preference for open forest and woodland. Where to look? How to find this species? In inland NSW Dusky Woodswallows are not migratory and they are normally the only woodswallow species that will stay put throughout winter. They are mostly spotted by us at the interface of forest or woodland with open spaces, such as walking tracks, clearings or (quiet) roads.

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "cyanopterus" We have seen Dusky Woodswallows, race "cyanopterus", several times where we lived until 2006, 20 km South of Narrabri, NSW. They hunted in flocks above the paddocks and sometimes sat on power lines to rest. They have been found by us in the adjacent Pilliga scrub semi-regularly since then. Dusky Woodswallows, race "cyanopterus", were also seen by us near Myall Creek, northern NSW, and at Mt. Kaputar NP, and frequently on its western fringe, in Deriah Aboriginal Area, 30 km East of Narrabri. They were also found by us in the Mudgee, NSW, area in December 2015, when various calls were recorded. Dusky Woodswallows, race "cyanopterus", have also been found by us in many different places along the Darling River and into South Australia in March 2008. Since then we have spotted them semi-regularly in inland NSW, e.g. in the area of Wee Waa, Burren Junction and Walgett. R. Plumtree reports spotting Dusky Woodswallows, race "cyanopterus", near Ensay, East Gippsland, VIC, e.g. in May 2014, in December 2014, in September 2017, and again in October/November 2019, when they were breeding there. M. Eaton reports finding Dusky Woodswallows, race "cyanopterus", in semi-regularly in various locations in south-western inland QLD. In May 2022 we found Dusky Woodswallows, race "cyanopterus", in large numbers in parts of the Pilliga scrub, with about 1000 found in one single location, at the Gilgais in Pilliga NP. C. Pears found a Dusky Woodswallow, race "cyanopterus", at Adventure Bay, Bruny Island, TAS, in January 2023. M. Eaton reports finding Dusky Woodswallows at Lake Gilles CP, SA, in October 2022. This location is in the transition zone between races "cyanopterus" and "perthi". Race "perthi" J. Greaves reports spotting Dusky Woodswallows, race "perthi", at Wooroloo Regional Park, Perth, WA, in August 2015. M. Eaton reports finding Dusky Woodswallows at Lake Gilles CP, SA, in October 2022. This location is in the transition zone between races "cyanopterus" and "perthi".

Photos

Race "cyanopterus"

ADULT

Sex unknown

Frontal view of a Dusky Woodswallow (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay, Doctors Flat Road, East Gippsland, VIC, October 2019]

Frontal view of a Dusky Woodswallow looking sideways
[Deriah Aboriginal Area, NSW, March 2008]

Frontal view of a Dusky Woodswallow looking backwards (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Durikai SF, near Warwick, QLD, August 2017]

Close-up frontal/ventral view of a Dusky Woodswallow
[Eulah Creek, NSW, August 2025]

Near-frontal view of a Dusky Woodswallow jiggling its tail (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay, Doctors Flat Road, East Gippsland, VIC, October 2019]

Near-frontal view of a Dusky Woodswallow checking out the photographer
[Deriah Aboriginal Area, NSW, August 2008]

Near-frontal view of a Dusky Woodswallow looking sideways (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Coolmunda, near Inglewood, QLD, October 2024]

Close-up near-frontal/ventral view of a Dusky Woodswallow
[Putta Bucca Wetlands, Mudgee, NSW, March 2015]

Near-lateral view of a Dusky Woodswallow looking towards the observer (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Coolmunda, near Inglewood, QLD, October 2024]

Near-lateral view of a Dusky Woodswallow
[Deriah Aboriginal Area, NSW, May 2013]

Near-lateral view of a Dusky Woodswallow (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Near Swifts Creek, East Gippsland, VIC, September 2017]

Near-lateral/ventral view of a Dusky Woodswallow (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Pilliga West SCA, NSW, March 2021]

Close-up lateral view of a Dusky Woodswallow (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[St. George, QLD, August 2018]

Lateral/ventral view of a Dusky Woodswallow hanging off the bark of a dead ironbark eucalypt; the bird was happy to stay like this for many minutes
[Deriah Aboriginal Area, NSW, April 2009]

Near-dorsal view of a Dusky Woodswallow (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Pilliga West SCA, NSW, March 2021]

Lateral/ventral view of a Dusky Woodswallow in flight
[Yarrie Lake, NSW, July 2016]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Dusky Woodswallows in a tight huddle; the second bird from the left, with spots on the tips of its feathers, is an immature
[Pilliga NP, NSW, May 2022]

Frontal view of a juvenile Dusky Woodswallow
[Deriah Aboriginal Area, NSW, March 2008]

Near-frontal view of a juvenile Dusky Woodswallow looking towards the observer (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Pilliga West SCA, NSW, March 2021]

Near-frontal view of a juvenile Dusky Woodswallow
[Deriah Aboriginal Area, NSW, March 2008]

Frontal view of an adult, left, and a juvenile, right, Dusky Woodswallow (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay, East Gippsland, VIC, December 2014]

Lateral view of two juvenile Dusky Woodswallows on a low perch (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay, East Gippsland, VIC, December 2014]

Near-dorsal view of a juvenile Dusky Woodswallow (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Pilliga West SCA, NSW, March 2021]

Near-dorsal view of a juvenile Dusky Woodswallow with its tail fanned (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay, East Gippsland, VIC, December 2014]

Dorsal view of a juvenile Dusky Woodswallow (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Pilliga West SCA, NSW, March 2021]

Adult, right, with a juvenile Dusky Woodswallow (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Pilliga West SCA, NSW, March 2021]

Race "perthi"

ADULT

Sex unknown

Frontal view of a Dusky Woodswallow (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Wooloroo Regional Park, Perth, WA, August 2015]

Near-frontal view of a Dusky Woodswallow looking at the observer (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Lake Gilles CP, SA, October 2022]

Near-frontal view of a Dusky Woodswallow (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Lake Gilles CP, SA, October 2022]

Dusky Woodswallows huddling together (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Wooloroo Regional Park, Perth, WA, August 2015]

Breeding information

Breeding season: Aug - Dec

Eggs: 3 - 4

Incubation period: ?

Fledging age: ?

Given the right conditions (e.g. absence of frost), Dusky Woodswallows can breed almost all year round.

Nest

"bungobittah", "lar", "malunna", "jindi" [bundjalung] = nest [Aboriginal]

Type: Basket

Material: Twigs, with soft lining

Height above ground: 5 - ? m

Frontal view of a Dusky Woodswallow on its nest (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Girraween NP, QLD, November 2024]

Frontal view of a Dusky Woodswallow at its nest (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Lake Gilles CP, SA, October 2022]

Lateral view of a Dusky Woodswallow sitting down on its nest to incubate (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Lake Gilles CP, SA, October 2022]

Frontal view of a Dusky Woodswallow on its nest (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay, Doctors Flat Road, East Gippsland, VIC, November 2019]

Dusky Woodswallow feeding one of its hatchlings (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay, East Gippsland, VIC, November 2019]

Dusky Woodswallow with a contented-looking hatchling; the adult bird's bill is soiled with "insect porridge"
(photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay, East Gippsland, VIC, November 2019]

Overview of a momentarily unattended nest of a pair of Dusky Woodswallows in a stunted fork; without the birds' activities it would certainly have gone unnoticed
[Near Narrabri, NSW, October 2011]

Even with a Dusky Woodswallow sitting on it, and the tail sticking out, the nest is very inconspicuous
[Near Narrabri, NSW, October 2011]

Here a "change of the guard", which was what attracted the observer's attention to the Dusky Woodswallow nest
[Near Narrabri, NSW, October 2011]

Well-hidden Dusky Woodswallow nest on top of the base of a clump of Mistletoe (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2021]

Frontal view of a Dusky Woodswallow on its nest; for a woodswallow this nest, with its deep base, is quite an elaborate construction
[Leard State Forest, near Maules Creek, NSW, November 2014]

Lateral/ventral view of a Dusky Woodswallow on its nest
[Leard State Forest, near Maules Creek, NSW, November 2014]

Dusky Woodswallow carrying nesting material (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay, East Gippsland, VIC, October 2019]

Eggs

"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "mirk", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena", "pum-pum" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay]

Size: 24 x 17 mm

Colour: Creamy, with dark-brown speckles

Shape: Tapered oval

View from above into a Dusky Woodswallow nest with 3 eggs inside (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Lake Gilles CP, SA, October 2022]

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal

Mobility: Partially migratory

Elementary unit: Small flock

Dusky Woodswallows in the SE of the continent are migratory, those in the SW are sedentary.

Like some other species of woodswallows (and some other species as well), Dusky Woodswallows like to huddle together closely.

Close-up near-lateral view of Dusky Woodswallows in a tight huddle
[Pilliga NP, NSW, May 2022]

Near-lateral overview of Dusky Woodswallows in a huddle
[Pilliga NP, NSW, May 2022]

Near-lateral view of Dusky Woodswallows in a tight huddle; the second bird from the left, with spots on the tips of its feathers, is an immature
[Pilliga NP, NSW, May 2022]

Frontal view of a clan of Dusky Woodswallows huddling in a dead tree top
[Pilliga scrub, NSW, May 2011]

Mob of Dusky Woodswallows sheltering in the lee of a tree trunk during inclement weather
[Eulah Creek, NSW, August 2025]

Dusky Woodswallows are also known for wagging their tails sideways. While we have not documented the tail wag, the same motion comes into action when they are stretching, see photos below.

Frontal views of a Dusky Woodswallow stretching, first to the right, then to the left
[Deriah Aboriginal Area, NSW, May 2013]

Dusky Woodswallows using their tails in various configurations
[Eulah Creek, NSW, April 2018]

Dusky Woodswallows like to perch prominently on the ends of dead branches - this one's got a great view!
[Mt. Kaputar NP, NSW, April 2014]

About half of a flock of Dusky Woodswallows hawking for insects above eucalypt woodland
[Eulah Creek, NSW, April 2018]

Dusky Woodswallows can form large flocks; this is part of a flock of several hundred birds
[Pilliga NP, NSW, May 2022]

Food, Diet

Adults: Small insects

Dependents: As adults

Water intake: Any(?)

Like all members of the Artamus family known to us, Dusky Woodswallows feed on small insects.

Frontal view of a Dusky Woodswallow with its catch, a fly (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Girraween NP, QLD, November 2024]

Near-frontal view of a Dusky Woodswallow with an insect it has just caught
[Mt. Kaputar NP, NSW, May 2020]

Lateral view of a Dusky Woodswallow with its prey, a fly
[Leard State Forest, near Maules Creek, NSW, November 2014]

Lateral view of a juvenile Dusky Woodswallow with its prey that it had just caught; it was not fed by the adult in the foreground
[Near Pilliga, NSW, March 2021]

Lateral/ventral view of a Dusky Woodswallow approaching its nest with a load of insects
[20 km South of Narrabri, NSW, April 2006]

Flock of Dusky Woodswallows raiding a flowering mugga ironbark eucalypt; a closer view shows that they were after nectar, not insects
[Pilliga NP, NSW, June 2022]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

dwoodsw_20210409.m4a	cyanopterus (W NSW)	Contact calls(?)	© MD
dwoodsw_20210320.m4a	cyanopterus (NW NSW)	Warning calls	© MD
dwoodsw_20180419.m4a	cyanopterus (NW NSW)	Warning calls; (+ White-plumed Honeyeater)	© MD
dwoodsw_20180419_2.m4a	cyanopterus (NW NSW)	Alarm calls	© MD
dwoodsw_20151201_4.m4a	cyanopterus (W NSW)	Alarm calls (Laughing Kookaburra)	© MD
alarm_20210320.m4a	cyanopterus (NW NSW)	Aerial predator alarm calls (+ Brown Treecreeper, White-browed Woodswallow, White-plumed Honeyeater)	© MD
dwoodsw_20151201_3.m4a	cyanopterus (W NSW)	Annoyed calls	© MD
dwoodsw_20151201_5.m4a	cyanopterus (W NSW)	Annoyed calls	© MD
dwoodsw_20220521_2.m4a	cyanopterus (NW NSW)	Various (+ Yellow Thornbill)	© MD
dwoodsw_20220521.m4a	cyanopterus (NW NSW)	Various (flock in flight)	© MD

More Dusky Woodswallow sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

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