The apparatus for picking olives and the like comprises a support rod (2) suitable to be grasped; a shaker unit (3) comprising a containment box (7) suitable to be mounted at the top of the support rod (2); at least one comb sector (6, 60) shaping a support structure (9, 99) for a plurality of teeth (10), carried mobile by the containment box (7); a motor member for actuating the comb sector (6, 60) in a substantially swinging motion. The support structure (9, 99) is constrained rotatably in a sleeve (12, 120, 121) hinged to the containment box (7) at a transverse axis (13), so as to produce a first swinging motion of the support structure (9, 99) about the transverse axis (13). The support structure (9, 99) of the teeth (10) is further constrained to the containment box (7) at a portion distal to the sleeve (12, 120, 121) by means of an articulated joint (18), in such a way as to produce a second swinging motion of the support structure (9, 99) about its longitudinal axis.