apostle bird: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (Specialist)Specialist (Ornithology/Australian English), Informal (Australian context).
Quick answer
What does “apostle bird” mean?
A distinctive grey and black Australian bird, known for its gregarious, social behavior.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A distinctive grey and black Australian bird, known for its gregarious, social behavior.
Refers specifically to Struthidea cinerea, a passerine bird found in arid and semi-arid regions of Australia, named for its habit of moving about in small, cohesive flocks.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is almost exclusively used in Australian English. Outside Australia, especially in ornithological contexts, the scientific name may be preferred. In the UK and US, it is a highly specialized term.
Connotations
In Australian English, it may evoke imagery of the outback, dryness, and social birdlife. For non-Australians, it's primarily a technical or exotic term.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general British or American usage; familiar mainly to birdwatchers, zoologists, and those with knowledge of Australian fauna.
Grammar
How to Use “apostle bird” in a Sentence
The [adjective] apostle bird [verb].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “apostle bird” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The apostle-bird behaviour was fascinating to observe.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in zoology, ornithology, and ecology papers focused on Australian fauna or bird social behavior.
Everyday
Used in casual conversation in Australia, particularly in rural or outback areas.
Technical
Used in field guides, birding databases, and wildlife documentaries.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “apostle bird”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “apostle bird”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “apostle bird”
- Spelling: 'apostal bird', 'apostle-bird' (hyphenated form is less common).
- Using it as a general term for any social bird outside Australia.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, that's a myth. Flock sizes vary, though they are typically small and social.
They are endemic to mainland Australia, so you would only see them in zoos or wildlife parks elsewhere.
Not in urban gardens. They are more common in dry inland woodlands and scrublands.
It's another colloquial name, referring to their highly social, cooperative, and noisy group behavior.
A distinctive grey and black Australian bird, known for its gregarious, social behavior.
Apostle bird is usually specialist (ornithology/australian english), informal (australian context). in register.
Apostle bird: in British English it is pronounced /əˈpɒs.əl ˌbɜːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈpɑː.səl ˌbɝːd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Like a flock of apostle birds (used in Australian English to describe a tight-knit, chattering group).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the twelve APOSTLES walking together through the Australian outback, chattering and staying close as a group, just like these grey birds.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL COHESION IS APOSTOLIC FELLOWSHIP (derived from the folk etymology).
Practice
Quiz
The 'apostle' in 'apostle bird' originally referred to: