apostlebird

or apos·tle bird

[ uh-pos-uhl-burd ]

noun
  1. an omnivorous bird, Struthidea cinerea, of eastern Australia, that has chiefly dark gray-brown plumage with white tail markings and is noted for its habit of traveling in groups of about 12 related individuals.

Origin of apostlebird

1
First recorded in 1930–35; apostle + bird

Words Nearby apostlebird

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for apostle bird

apostle bird

noun
  1. a gregarious grey-and-brown Australian nest-building bird, Struthidea cinerea

Origin of apostle bird

1
C20: so called for its apparent habit of congregating in groups of twelve

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