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Australian Mudnesters (Struthideidae)

Apostlebird (Struthidea cinerea) - HBW 14, p. 284

French: Apôtre gris German: Gimpelhäher Spanish: Corvino Apóstol

Taxonomy: Struthidea cinerea Gould, 1837, interior of New South Wales, Australia.
Family treatment much disputed over the years, and present species has frequently been placed in Grallinidae or a monospecific Struthideidae; close relationship with Corcorax generally agreed. Races intergrade in NC Queensland. Isolated population in Northern Territory formerly thought to represent a distinct race from that in N Queensland, but now considered identical. Although name swainsoni predates dalyi, former regarded as invalid, as description and measurements of type specimen ambiguous and possibly based on intermediate specimen, and type locality (N Queensland) .. View all taxonomy...

Taxonomy: Struthidea cinerea Gould, 1837, interior of New South Wales, Australia.
Family treatment much disputed over the years, and present species has frequently been placed in Grallinidae or a monospecific Struthideidae; close relationship with Corcorax generally agreed. Races intergrade in NC Queensland. Isolated population in Northern Territory formerly thought to represent a distinct race from that in N Queensland, but now considered identical. Although name swainsoni predates dalyi, former regarded as invalid, as description and measurements of type specimen ambiguous and possibly based on intermediate specimen, and type locality (N Queensland) imprecise and could lie within zone of intergradation with nominate. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

  • dalyi Mathews, 1923 - N Northern Territory (mainly S of Roper R) and N & NC Queensland, in N Australia.
  • cinerea Gould, 1837 - C & S Queensland, inland New South Wales, N Victoria (along Murray R) and E South Australia (mainly N of Murray R).

Sounds

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