Apostlebirds, scruffy characters

[bob10]

Saw this and smiled with the memory of the apostlebirds at Burke & Wills roadhouse, waiting patiently under a tree, then swarming out to pick off all the grass hoppers caught in the front of each vehicle as it pulled in. Characters indeed.

Apostlebird (Struthidea cinerea) - Australian Geographic (http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/photography/reader-photos/2015/11/apostlebird?utm_source=exacttarget&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=27834&utm_content=206833&user_id=85077cfb52eb212266d4b3ae4b06065806904db3)

[PhilipA]

I love them, and know I am out of the city when I first see them.
I recall once leaving Tibooburra in light rain with the Broken Hill Road closed at Packsaddle, turning left to White Cliffs.
There are bitumen lead ups to many of the grids and every type of animal was coming for a drink at the puddles. There were hundreds of Apostles drinking and bathing and they just would not move no matter how much I blew the horn. I had to slow to walking pace and slowly drive through.
This was as well as Kangas, foxes, rabbits you name it.

I love the way they are fearless and will scramble around your feet all the time carrying on this conversation with each other.
Regards Philip A

[bob10]

Yeah, the scruffy looking things look like they should be behind the wheel of a series Land Rover.

[Bundalene]

Saw this and smiled with the memory of the apostlebirds at Burke & Wills roadhouse, waiting patiently under a tree, then swarming out to pick off all the grass hoppers caught in the front of each vehicle as it pulled in. Characters indeed.m

Apostlebird (Struthidea cinerea) - Australian Geographic (http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/photography/reader-photos/2015/11/apostlebird?utm_source=exacttarget&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=27834&utm_content=206833&user_id=85077cfb52eb212266d4b3ae4b06065806904db3)

Ha ha. That brings back memories at Burke & Wills roadhouse...years ago when we camped there....early in the morning having breakfast the Apostle birds were getting very brave and coming to take bread out of our hands. We actually caught one and the others took off very smartly. When we released the bird they all came back again. They are scruffy looking but great birds, and yes, you know you are out bush when you see them. They often roost in groups of 12 alongside each other on a tree branch ...thus the name after the twelve apostles maybe? Don't pitch your tent under them!

[bob10]

They just look so bossy. Should have called them mother in law birds.

Apostlebird | BirdLife Australia (http://birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/apostlebird)

[bob10]

The white winged chough, looks yarra.

White-winged Chough | BirdLife Australia (http://www.birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/white-winged-chough)