The black-faced woodswallow is a woodswallow of the genus Artamus native to Australia, New Guinea, and the Sunda Islands, including Timor. It is 18–19 cm (7.1–7.5 in) long and is the most widespread species in the family Artamidae. Woodswallows have a soft call with chiff, chap and chattering calls which can include vocal mimicry
Region
Australasia
Typical Environment
Occurs widely across mainland Australia, extending to southern New Guinea and the Lesser Sundas, including Timor. It favors open habitats such as arid shrublands, savanna woodlands, grasslands with scattered trees, and agricultural edges. The species adapts well to human-modified landscapes, often using fences and powerlines as hunting perches. Local presence can be highly variable due to nomadic movements following rain and insect abundance.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
One of the most widespread members of the Artamidae, the black-faced woodswallow often forms tight communal huddles at night to conserve warmth. It is nomadic in many parts of Australia, tracking rainfall and insect swarms. Its soft chiff–chap chatter sometimes includes brief mimicry, and it commonly perches on powerlines and fence posts to hawk for insects.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
agile aerial forager with short rapid wingbeats and brief glides
Social Behavior
Often seen in small to medium flocks, perching conspicuously and roosting communally in tight clusters. Pairs or small groups build shallow cup nests in forks of trees; both sexes share incubation and chick rearing. Territoriality is modest, with groups defending immediate nest areas while remaining tolerant in feeding sites.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Soft, chattering calls with chiff and chap notes delivered in quick sequences. Vocalizations can include brief mimicry of other species and intensify during social interactions or when alarmed.
