‘Dusky Woodswallow (C)Jill Wilson 2016 birdlifephotography.org.au’
Habitat at a Glance
See Habitat Guide for more detail
Shelter: Nests constructed in shrubs, trees, and nest boxes
Diet: Flying insects
Water: Bird baths
ReWild Benefit: Pest control
Habitat Guide - Shelter
Natural Shelter
Dusky Woodswallows are communal nesters with many pairs nesting close together. Each pair builds a nest from common materials found in home gardens including grasses, twigs, and strips of bark. They build their nests indiscriminately including forks of trees, in shallow hollows, in dense shrubs, or on fence posts.
Keep and maintain mature trees in your garden as they provide habitat and natural nesting hollows for woodswallows.
Novel Shelter
Dusky Woodswallows are known to nest in nest boxes and will use a variety of different styles.
Below is a template and important considerations regarding nest boxes for woodswallows.
Install the box on a tall tree close to the main trunk or a thick horizontal limb five meters or higher.
Position nest boxes away from direct afternoon sun.
Nest boxes are a long-term commitment and need maintenance and repair over time.
Never use metal wire inside a box. A wooden ladder or notches in the timber is much more suitable and won’t damage claws or talons.
Chipboard boxes degrade quickly and require replacement after a year of use.
Hardier untreated timber (Jarrah) is less prone to attack by fungi, bacteria, and microorganisms.
Do not use treated timber as this can emit fumes toxic to wildlife and their young.
Maintenance is critical to ensure any resident wildlife and their offspring remain safe.
Habitat Guide - Food and Water
Providing natural sources of food
Dusky Woodswallows eat flying insects including flies, grasshoppers, bees, butterflies, moths, and many others. A garden with diverse shrubs, trees, clumping grasses, and groundcover will attract insects, and inevitably woodswallows.
Providing sources of water
Dusky Woodswallows may congregate in large numbers around shallow bird baths.
ReWild Benefits
Dusky Woodswallows delight in feeding on swarms of flying insects and help to control pest species within the ecosystem. Visit BirdLife Australia to learn more about our native birds. If you have seen one in your neighbourhood or around the home you can record your sighting on Birdata and help scientists monitor their population.
