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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of apostlebird¹

First recorded in 1930–35; apostle + bird