Apostlebird

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Apostlebird

Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corcoracidae
Genus: Struthidea
Gould, 1837
Species: S. cinerea
Binomial name
Struthidea cinerea
Gould, 1837

The Apostlebird (Struthidea cinerea) is a quick-moving, gray or black bird about 12 inches (30 centimeters) long. It is monotypic in the genus Struthidea. It is a native to Australia where it roams woodlands, eating insects and seeds. Apostlebirds always seem to travel in groups of about 12; for this reason they were named after the Biblical apostles - the twelve followers of Jesus Christ. In fact they travel in groups of between 6 and 20. They are commonly known locally as "Lousy Jacks" due to heavy louse infestations being common.

[edit] Conservation status

Apostlebirds are not listed as threatened on the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. However, their conservation status varies from state to state within Australia. For example:

  • The Apostlebird is listed as threatened on the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (1988).[1] Under this Act, an Action Statement for the recovery and future management of this species has not yet been prepared.[2]
  • On the 2007 advisory list of threatened vertebrate fauna in Victoria, the Apostlebird is not listed as a threatened species.[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria
  2. ^ Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria
  3. ^ Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (2007). Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria - 2007. East Melbourne, Victoria: Department of Sustainability and Environment, 15. ISBN 978-1-74208-039-0. 

[edit] External links


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