Struthidea cinerea (Apostlebird)

IUCN Status: Least Concern


While their name comes from the "fact" the often get around in groups of around twelve (though anywhere from 6 to 20 is common), their attitude is anything but holy. They're, noisy, brazen and a little agro. They remind me a troop of surly clowns, rambling all over the place. I like them 8-)

I first recall apostlebirds from "The Dish" at Parkes NSW. We were on our way two Tassie, and always stop there for a rest. A flock of these characters flew in and took over, getting very close to our infant son who they had thoroughly spellbound with their circus act.

This a lonely taxa. Cinerea is the only species in this genus, and Struthidea makes up one of two genus in the family Corcoracidae (Australian mudnesters) - and the other genus also has only a single spieces.