Photo: Joseph Smit / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
White-backed Woodswallow
Artamus insignis
White-backed Woodswallow (Artamus insignis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Australia & Oceania.
The White-backed Woodswallow (Artamus insignis) is a member of the Artamidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 51.3 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Artamidae Woodswallows, Butcherbirds & Allies
- Genus Artamus
- Species insignis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 51.3 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Artamidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The White-backed Woodswallow is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The White-backed Woodswallow is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The White-backed Woodswallow (Artamus insignis) belongs to the Artamidae family of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU New Ireland and New Britain (e Bismarck Arch.).
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 51.3 g, with a wing length of about 14.2 cm and a tail of around 6.3 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 38,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the White-backed Woodswallow?
The White-backed Woodswallow is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 51.3 g.
Where does the White-backed Woodswallow live?
The White-backed Woodswallow is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU New Ireland and New Britain (e Bismarck Arch.), where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the White-backed Woodswallow belong to?
The White-backed Woodswallow (Artamus insignis) belongs to the Artamidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the White-backed Woodswallow eat?
The White-backed Woodswallow is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the White-backed Woodswallow migrate?
The White-backed Woodswallow is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the White-backed Woodswallow endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the White-backed Woodswallow's range?
The White-backed Woodswallow has a mapped global range of about 38,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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