Apostlebird

Overview

The apostlebird (Struthidea cinerea), also known as the grey jumper, is a quick-moving, dark grey bird native to Australia that travels in groups of approximately 12. It belongs to the mud-nest builder family and is one of two remaining species in its order, sharing behavioural similarities with the white-winged chough.

Identification

• Predominantly dark grey body with a long black tail that appears greenish in sunlight.
• Head, neck and breast feathers are brushed with paler grey-white, while the wings are brownish.
• Measuring around 33 cm in length, it has a black bill and black legs.
• Eyes are either brown or white.

Habitat

The natural range covers inland eastern Australia, stretching from the mallee regions of northern Victoria and eastern South Australia through New South Wales and central-western Queensland to the Gulf Country, with an isolated population in the Northern Territory. The preferred habitat is dry open woodland, particularly Callitris in New South Wales, Casuarina in Queensland, and Lancewood-Bulwaddi communities in the Northern Territory.

Diet

The bird eats insects and seeds at or near ground level.

Did you know?

The species is named after the twelve Biblical apostles because they travel in family groups of between 6 and 20 that may coalesce into large feeding flocks of over 40. These groups exhibit a fission-fusion society, merging in winter and breaking apart again in the summer breeding season.