Alternative names: Ashy Swallow-Shrike; Ashy Woodswallow Shrike
- Artamus fuscus
Identification
19cm (7½ in). A stocky, long-winged bird:
- Heavy silvery bill
- Rounded dark tail broadly white tipped
- Slaty grey on head
- Brownish on back
- Narrow white rump band
- Pinkish grey below with whitish vent and wing-linings
Sexes similar. Juveniles are darker and browner and have pale buffy spots above and mottling below. Their bill is dark.
The only Woodswallow in its range.
Distribution
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Most of the Indian Subcontinent (except northwest and much of Ganges plain) and Sri Lanka east to Burma, south and southeast China (with Hainan), Thailand (except south) and Indochina (Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia). Widespread and fairly common in its range. |
| Legend |
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Open and cultivated areas. Often seen near city edges perched on overhead electric supply cables. Occurs up to 2100m.
Behaviour
They huddle together early morning to keep warm.
Diet
An insectivorous species, obtaining most of its prey in flight. Forages singly, in pairs or small flocks.
Breeding
Breeding season from March to July, earlier in Sri Lanka. The nest is a shallow cup made of rootlets and other fibrous material. It's placed up to 12m above the ground often in a palm tree, sometimes in tree holes. Lays 2-3 eggs.
Movements
Generally a resident species.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2016. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2016, with updates to August 2016. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Rasmussen, PC and JC Anderton. 2005. Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334672
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507
- BF Member observations
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Ashy Woodswallow. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 13 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Ashy_Woodswallow
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
