Apostlebird
Struthidea cinerea
The Apostlebird (Struthidea cinerea) is a uncommon white-winged chough and apostlebird found only in Australia, weighing about 132 g. The apostlebird, also known as the grey jumper, lousy jack or happy family, is a quick-moving, gray or black bird about 33 cm (13 in) long.
About the Apostlebird
The apostlebird, also known as the grey jumper, lousy jack or happy family, is a quick-moving, gray or black bird about 33 cm (13 in) long. It is a native to Australia where it roams woodlands, eating insects and seeds at, or near, ground level. Apostlebirds often travel in groups of about 12; for this reason, they were named after the 12 Biblical apostles.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Measuring around 33 cm (13 in) in length, the apostlebird is a predominantly dark grey bird with a long black tail tinted greenish in sunlight. The grey feathers on the head, neck and breast are brushed with paler grey-white and the wings are brownish. The legs and bill are black and the eyes brown or white.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Apostlebird can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Quick questions
- How do you identify an Apostlebird?
- Measuring around 33 cm (13 in) in length, the apostlebird is a predominantly dark grey bird with a long black tail tinted greenish in sunlight. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is an Apostlebird?
- The Apostlebird is a medium sized bird weighing about 132 g.
- Where can you see an Apostlebird?
- The Apostlebird is endemic to Australia, which is the only country where it occurs.
- Is the Apostlebird endangered?
- The Apostlebird is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Apostlebird for real
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