Artamus fuscus
The Ashy Woodswallow, *Artamus fuscus*, is a captivating passerine belonging to the Artamidae family, closely related to other woodswallows, and more distantly to butcherbirds and magpies. Measuring approximately 18-20 cm (7.1-7.9 in) in length and weighing 32-41 g (1.1-1.4 oz), this medium-sized bird is characterized by its distinctive uniform ashy-grey plumage across its head, back, and underparts. Its wings are a contrasting dark black, while the short, squared tail is also dark. A key fie...
Found primarily in open woodlands, forest edges, cultivated areas, and clearings, often near human habitation. It thrives from lowlands up to elevations of around 2,000 meters in hill regions.
The diet consists mainly of flying insects such as moths, beetles, cicadas, dragonflies, and termites, caught primarily through aerial hawking. They will also occasionally consume nectar from flowering trees.
Ashy Woodswallows are highly social and diurnal birds, often observed in small to large flocks, especially outside the breeding season, culminating in spectacular communal roosts where dozens may huddle tightly together. Their foraging strategy is predominantly aerial, hawking insects on the wing...
The Ashy Woodswallow is widely distributed across the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, primarily residing in countries like India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Peninsular Malaysia, and southern China. Within India, its range extends from the Himala...
Least Concern
- The name "woodswallow" perfectly describes their dual nature: they hunt like swallows but prefer to perch openly on tree branches and snags. - They are one of the few bird species known to practice "anting," a behavior where they rub ants on their feathers, possibly to rid themselves of parasit...