On Seeing Apostle Birds Poem by Francis Duggan

Were I a bard and had I a way with words
I'd sing a song of the apostle birds
Of how they stay together love and live
Few humans have in them such love to give.

I've watched them in aviary in Healesville Sanctuary
And I felt quite impressed at what I see
They did not seem to mind the captive life
And the male bird groomed and preened his loving wife.

With mottled brown wings and overall blue gray
They search in ground for food most of the day
And they live in family groups of twelve the reason why
The name of apostle birds they are known by.

With willing help of their last year family
They build mud nest on fork of branch of tree
And as a close knit family they live
And few humans have in them such love to give.