apostlebird

or apos·tle bird

[ uh-pos-uh l-burd ]
/ əˈpɒs əlˌbɜrd /

noun

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

First recorded in 1930–35; apostle + bird

Words nearby apostlebird

apostle, apostle bird, apostle pitcher, apostle plant, apostle spoon, apostlebird, apostles' creed, apostles, the twelve, apostolate, apostolic, apostolic age

British Dictionary definitions for apostle bird

apostle bird

noun

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

Word Origin for apostle bird

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