Little Woodswallow

1. Smallest woodswallow, with uniform dark chocolate-brown plumage

2. No white streaks on the wings

3. Strong association with rocky cliffs and escarpments

Little Woodswallows are aerial insectivores, expertly catching insects in flight above rocky terrain, but will also take nectar and occasionally forage on the ground or in foliage. They are highly social, often roosting communally in tight groups to conserve heat. Breeding usually occurs from August to January, or opportunistically after rain. The nest is a flimsy cup of twigs and plant material, tucked into a rock crevice, tree hollow, or stump. Clutch size is typically 2-3 eggs, and both parents share incubation and feeding duties. Fledglings leave the nest while still only partly able to fly and continue to be fed by the parents nearby.

Little Woodswallows are patchily distributed across much of inland Australia, avoiding only the driest deserts and the far southern coastline. They show a strong preference for rugged terrain, especially rocky hills, gorges, and escarpments in arid and semi-arid regions. Look for them perched or huddled together on cliff faces, dead branches, or high ledges, often in small flocks, especially at dawn and dusk.