Apostlebird

The Apostlebird is a dark grey, ground-dwelling bird with a short black bill, black legs and a long black tail. Its wings have subtle dark-brown tones with pale grey streaking, and males and females look alike.

Typically seen foraging on the ground, the Apostlebird is a a medium-sized dark grey bird with a short black bill, dark-brown wings with pale-grey streaking and a long black tail.

This species favours open dry forests and woodlands near water, but may also be found in farmlands with trees, along roadsides, in cemeteries and on golf courses.

Found across Eastern Australia, with an isolated population in the Northern Territory.

In autumn and winter, they exploit different food sources, relying on seeds when insects are less available.

Usually seen in groups of 3-20 birds foraging on the ground, the Apostlebird feeds on seeds, invertebrates, and occasionally small vertebrates and eggs.

During breeding season, Apostlebirds form a 'breeding unit' – a dominant male and several females, plus immature birds that act as helpers. The nest is a large mud bowl, placed on a horizontal branch 3-20 m high, and reinforced and lined with grass. Usually only the adults incubate the eggs, but all members of a group assist with nest building and feeding of nestlings. More than one female may lay eggs in the same nest. While many eggs may be laid, usually only four nestlings will survive to fledge, with numbers possibly restricted by the size of the nest.

Its call is rough, scratchy, and discordant: 'ch-kew ch-kew'.

The Apostlebird can become quite tame around farms, foraging with domestic poultry, and is common around camp sites. It can be seen dust-bathing on roadsides