The white-breasted woodswallow is a medium-sized passerine bird which breeds from the Andaman Islands east through Indonesia and northern Australia. The name "woodswallow" is a misnomer as they are not closely related to true swallows. Instead, they belong to the family Artamidae, which also includes butcherbirds, currawongs and the Australian magpie.
Region
Southeast Asia and Northern Australia
Typical Environment
Occurs from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands through mainland and insular Southeast Asia, the Philippines, and eastern Indonesia to New Guinea and northern Australia. Prefers open and semi-open habitats including mangroves, coastal scrub, savanna, and open woodland. Common around human-modified areas such as farms, towns, and along roads where it uses wires and exposed perches. Often found near water and estuaries and will range along shorelines. Forms local colonies and may shift seasonally in response to weather and food availability.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Despite their name, woodswallows are not true swallows; they belong to the Artamidae, alongside butcherbirds and the Australian magpie. White-breasted woodswallows are highly social and often roost in tight huddles on branches or wires to conserve warmth. They are agile aerial insect hunters and sometimes exhibit cooperative breeding, with helpers assisting pairs.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile sallies
Social Behavior
Often perches in loose groups and roosts communally in tight huddles. Breeding pairs may be assisted by helpers, and small colonies can form. Nest is a shallow cup placed in a fork of a small tree or shrub; both sexes share nesting duties.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Calls are soft, buzzy twitters and chattering contact notes, often given in chorus by a group. Alarm notes are sharper and more scolding, while courtship includes gentle, whistled exchanges.
Plumage
Smooth, glossy slate-grey upperparts with a sharply contrasting white breast, belly, and undertail coverts; tail has white edges and tips.
Diet
Primarily hunts flying insects such as beetles, termites, ants, wasps, and flies, captured in agile aerial sallies from exposed perches. It occasionally gleans from foliage or the ground and may sip nectar or take small fruits opportunistically. Foraging is often cooperative, with group members using nearby perches to exploit insect swarms.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along forest edges, mangroves, coastal flats, open woodland, farmland, and urban parks. Commonly uses powerlines, fence posts, and dead branches as hunting perches, especially near water and open clearings.
