What Kind of Bird?

[RichardK]

Can anyone tell me what kind of birds these are? saw them in outback NSW on our recent trip, I thought they may be starlings, they were very friendly
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/05/1084.jpg

[SimonM]

I believe they are an apostle bird. We had a very friendly Apostle at Mungo a few years back, kept coming into our camp and just hanging out. It was unusual as apparently they are almost always in large flocks.

[Bearman]

Apostle bird is correct, or happy family or lousyjack. Usually in a family group as above. They are the sentinels of the bush.

[ramblingboy42]

They are very friendly, plenty of them around here, they'll try and share your crib. I spread some hot chips on my bonnet to cool a little and about a dozen of them descended, but these guys have manners unlike seagulls, and they sit there chatting to each other waiting for you to give then something. If theyre nesting they defend their territory against hawks etc by giving them gang bashings. interesting birds, I enjoy having them around.

[87County]

they're called apostle birds because they often get around in groups of 12 (not all the time though)

(much larger, more attractive, better behaved and altogether a much more pleasant bird than a starling)

Western Australia is fortunate to have its starling shooters on the boundary keeping starlings out of WA.

[bob10]

Apostlebird for sure. According to Neville W Cayley's " what bird is that",

Apostlebird [struthidea cinera]

Distribution : N.E. Northern Territory & interior of Qld. & N.S.W. , occasionally extending into Vic. & S.A.; rare visitor to coastal areas.

NOTES. Also called Grey Jumper, Happy Family and Twelve Apostles.Usually in flocks of up to 12 or more birds, frequenting open forest-lands, chiefly in the sub-interior. Feeds mainly on the ground, over which it runs & struts in a quaint manner. When disturbed the flock flies to the lower branches of a tree, ascending by a series of leaps, uttering harsh , grating cries. A company often establishes itself near a country homestead & soon becomes fearless. Breeding is co-operative, & all members of the group assist in rearing the brood, Food: insects & seeds.

NEST. Basin shaped, made of mud reinforced with grass & lined with fine grass ; placed on a horizontal limb of a tree, up to 15 metres from the ground.

EGGS. Four or five, sometimes as many as eight ; pale blueish-white marked with blackish- brown and purplish-grey. Breeding season : August to December


Friendly little birds, Bob [ If ever you find yourself in the Burke & Wills roadhouse on the Burke developmental road, they help themselves to the grasshoppers stuck to the front of your car. Every time a car comes in , they line up, funny little fellas]

[korg20000bc]

Yep, apostle bird.
Maybe they hang around in groups of 12.

[RichardK]

Thanks for the information, I found all the characteristics mentioned.

[OffTrack]

Apostlebird for sure. According to Neville W Cayley's " what bird is that",

Apostlebird [struthidea cinera]

Distribution : N.E. Northern Territory & interior of Qld. & N.S.W. , occasionally extending into Vic. & S.A.; rare visitor to coastal areas.


Cayley is getting pretty long in the tooth and the distribution data reflects 1970's knowledge. Apostlebirds are resident in NW Victoria and can be found in various spots in Hattah Kulkyne/Murray Sunset NP's for example.

This is the current recorded distribution of Apostlebirds from the Atlas of Australian Birds (http://birdata.com.au/atlasstats.do).

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

The current edition of Michael Morcombe's "eGuide to Australian Birds" (http://www.michaelmorcombe.com.au) says:


Conspicuous, gregarious family groups, bustling confident, typically 5-10 but after the breeding season, up to 50 birds. Occupy open and rather dry country, never far from water. Calls include various harsh noises; these usually taken up in a chorus by others of the group. Includes a harsh, scratchy 'scrairch-sraach', grinding, grating sounds, louder 'tz-iew, tz-iew' and rough and abrupt warning calls garrulous participation in any flock activities. Very noisy early in breeding season, with much loud chattering. Common, but of patchy distribution.

cheers
Paul

[bob10]

Cayley is getting pretty long in the tooth and the distribution data reflects 1970's knowledge. Apostlebirds are resident in NW Victoria and can be found in various spots in Hattah Kulkyne/Murray Sunset NP's for example.

This is the current recorded distribution of Apostlebirds from the Atlas of Australian Birds (http://birdata.com.au/atlasstats.do).

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=60134&stc=1&d=1367883399

The current edition of Michael Morcombe's "eGuide to Australian Birds" (http://www.michaelmorcombe.com.au) says:



cheers
Paul

Yep, my book is ancient, almost, the updated 1984 one. Cayleys' first edition was 1931. He is regarded as one of the best painters of birds of his era. I have the coffee table book, but there is a field guide, I hope to purchase it in the future. I think you are drawing a long bow with that map, it seems to show exactly what Cayley wrote.-" occasionally extending into Vic. & S.A."; ;) Cheers Bob

[scarry]

Pretty much the same as the Graham Pizzey & Frank White field guide,which is the one we have used for years.

[OffTrack]

Cayley wrote.-" occasionally extending into Vic. & S.A."; ;) Cheers Bob

To most people "occasionally" means what it says in the dictionary - "infrequently or irregularly" which doesn't really reflect the reality that they are resident populations.

Cayley is fine for what it is - the Series I of bird books - but it's not something you look to for up-to-date information.

Pizzey and Knight, Simpson and Day and Michael Morecombe are all very good guide books with revised editions published in the last 2-3 years. But the ultimate reference work is HANZAB - The handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds...

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=60184&stc=1&d=1367930542