Description
The two mudnesters are medium sized passerines, the Apsotlebird being smaller at around 31 centimetres (12 in) in length and the larger White-winged Chough averaging 47 centimetres (19 in). Their morphology is typical of ground feeding passerines; long feathered legs and short, rounded wings. The most noticeable differences between the two species are in the plumage, which is generally dull, and in the bill. The bill of the Apostlebird is short and deep, not unlike that of a finch, whereas the bill of the White-winged Chough is long and curved, not unlike that of its Old World namesakes, the choughs. The differences in the bills reflect the differences in feeding ecology, with the Apostlebirds using theirs for sparrow-like picking whereas the White-winged Chough uses its bill to flick leaf litter around.
Read more about this topic: Australian Mudnester
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