5 Things you may or may not know about Apostlebirds
- Breeding pairs of Apostlebirds are assisted by a band of helpers at the nest, which incubate the eggs, feed the young (both in the nest and after fledging) and clean the nest, as well as mobbing predators.
- Apostlebirds were given their name because they were considered to always be seen in groups of 12, like Christ’s apostles (although groups may number up to 30 or so).
- Although most Apostlebirds build neat, smooth, bowl-like nests out of mud, some use Emu or cow poo when mud is unavailable.
- Apostlebirds forage almost entirely on the ground, scratching the dirt and leaf litter with their bills in search of insects and seeds.
- They often associate with White-winged Choughs, which also build mud nests and live in groups; and many of the harsh calls they make are similar, too.
