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Difference between revisions of "Apostlebird" - BirdForum Opus

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[[Image:Apostlebird4.JPG‎|thumb|500px|right|Photo &copy; by {{user|Ken+Doy|Ken Doy}}<br />Taromeo, [[Queensland]], January 2017]]
 
;[[: Category:Struthidea|Struthidea]] cinerea
 
;[[: Category:Struthidea|Struthidea]] cinerea
[[Image:Apostlebird_by_stoop.jpg‎|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|stoop|stoop}}<br>Location:Darling Downs, [[Queensland]], [[Australia]] ]]
 
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
The Apostlebird of the family Grallinidae is a grey-bodied Australian bird averaging 13 inches (33 centimeters) in length. It is characterized by brown wings, a black tail with a glossy green shine, black legs, and a black, stubby bill. The name Apostlebird is derived from the mistaken belief that the birds tend to live in groups of 12 to 13, like the 12 Biblical apostles of Jesus. <sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>
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[[Image:Apostlebird_by_stoop.jpg‎|thumb|350px|right|Photo &copy; by {{user|stoop|stoop}}<br />Darling Downs, [[Queensland]], [[Australia]],  June 2007]]
 
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Length 29-33 cm (11½-13 in). <br />
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Mostly grey with soft-looking body feathers. Flight feathers are brown, tail is black, legs are dark, the short, strong bill is black. However, the Birdforum Gallery (link below) show several images of birds with a much more reddish-brown color, be that due to true variation, staining, or an effect of unusual light conditions (see lower image).  
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
[[Image:Apostlebird.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|tcollins|tcollins}} (colors seem atypical)<br>Location:Daly waters, [[Northern Territory]], [[Australia]]]]
 
 
North, east, and south [[Australia]]. Highly nomadic.  
 
North, east, and south [[Australia]]. Highly nomadic.  
 
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
Two subspecies are recognized: ''cinerea'' and ''dalyi''. The only close relative of the Apostlebird is the [[White-winged Chough]].
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The only close relative of the Apostlebird is the [[White-winged Chough]].
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====Subspecies====
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[[Image:Apostlebird.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Colors seem atypical<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|tcollins|tcollins}} <br />Daly waters, [[Northern Territory]], [[Australia]], December 2006]]
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Two subspecies are recognized<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>:
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*''S. c. dalyi'':
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:*Interior of [[Northern Territory]] and northern [[Queensland]]
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*''S. c. cinerea'':
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:*Central [[Queensland]] to northern [[Victoria]] and south-eastern [[South Australia]]
  
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
Woodlands near water, farmlands with trees, roadsides, orchards and golf courses.
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Woodlands near water, farmlands with trees, roadsides, orchards and golf courses. Open scrub and eucalypt forests
 
 
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
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====Diet====
 
The diet includes insects and seeds.
 
The diet includes insects and seeds.
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====Flight====
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[[Image:Apostlebird-A5322W.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo &copy; by '''[http://www.birdforum.net/member.php?u=49168 Hans&Judy Beste]'''<br />Taromeo, S.E. [[Queensland]], September 2018]]
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Their flight has a characteristic pattern of flapping intermingled with gliding.
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====Breeding====
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This species are communal mudnest builders, who, as suggested by the name, work in large groups building their mudnests on a tree branch and feeding their young ones. Not always making up a dozen birds, but with several generations helping in the rearing of their young. This group behavior apparantly lead to the name used for this species<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>.
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====Vocalisation====
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{{Audio|Apostlebird.mp3}}
  
They form a breeding unit' of about ten related birds - a dominant male and several females plus immature birds who act as helpers. They build large mud bowl nest, reinforced and lined with grass. All the group help to build the nest building and to feed the nestlings. More than one female may lay eggs in the same nest. <sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>
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Feeding chatter
 
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<br />Recorded by {{user|Azzy|Azzy}} at Danggali Conservation Park, [[South Australia]]. 11th May 2009.
 
==References==
 
==References==
#[http://student.britannica.com/comptons/article-9309893/apostlebird Encyclopaedia Britannica]
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#{{Ref-Clements6thAug18}}#Encyclopaedia Britannica
#[http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/finder/display.cfm?id=133 Birds in Backyards]
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#BF Member observations
 
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*[http://www.arthurgrosset.com/ozbirds/apostlebird.html Arthur Grosset's Birds]
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{{ref}}
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
{{GSearch|Struthidea+cinerea}}  
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{{GSearch|"Struthidea cinerea" {{!}} "Apostlebird"}}
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<br />
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{{VSearch|"Struthidea cinerea" {{!}} "Apostlebird"}}
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{{GS-checked}}1
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<br />
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<br />
  
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Struthidea]]
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[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Struthidea]][[Category:Bird Songs]] [[Category:Videos]]

Latest revision as of 20:13, 30 April 2023

Photo © by Ken Doy
Taromeo, Queensland, January 2017
Struthidea cinerea

Identification

Photo © by stoop
Darling Downs, Queensland, Australia, June 2007

Length 29-33 cm (11½-13 in).
Mostly grey with soft-looking body feathers. Flight feathers are brown, tail is black, legs are dark, the short, strong bill is black. However, the Birdforum Gallery (link below) show several images of birds with a much more reddish-brown color, be that due to true variation, staining, or an effect of unusual light conditions (see lower image).

Distribution

North, east, and south Australia. Highly nomadic.

Taxonomy

The only close relative of the Apostlebird is the White-winged Chough.

Subspecies

Colors seem atypical
Photo © by tcollins
Daly waters, Northern Territory, Australia, December 2006

Two subspecies are recognized[1]:

  • S. c. dalyi:
  • S. c. cinerea:

Habitat

Woodlands near water, farmlands with trees, roadsides, orchards and golf courses. Open scrub and eucalypt forests

Behaviour

Diet

The diet includes insects and seeds.

Flight

Photo © by Hans&Judy Beste
Taromeo, S.E. Queensland, September 2018

Their flight has a characteristic pattern of flapping intermingled with gliding.

Breeding

This species are communal mudnest builders, who, as suggested by the name, work in large groups building their mudnests on a tree branch and feeding their young ones. Not always making up a dozen birds, but with several generations helping in the rearing of their young. This group behavior apparantly lead to the name used for this species[2].

Vocalisation

Feeding chatter
Recorded by Azzy at Danggali Conservation Park, South Australia. 11th May 2009.

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2018. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica
  3. BF Member observations

Recommended Citation

External Links


GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1

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