ANIMAL SPECIES:Superb Lyrebird
The Superb Lyrebird looks like a large brown pheasant.
Identification
The Superb Lyrebird looks like a large brown pheasant. The wings are rufous in colour and the bill, legs and feet are black. The adult male has an ornate tail, with special curved feathers that, in display, assume the shape of a lyre. The tails of females and young males are long, but lack the specialised feathers.
Size range
80 - 100 cm in long (including tail)Similar Species
Albert's LyrebirdDistribution
South-eastern Australian mainland and southern Tasmania.
Habitat
Moist forests. It is a ground-dwelling species in moist forests, but roosts in trees at night. Birds are sedentary, rarely moving large distances and generally staying in a home-range about 10 km in diameter.
Behaviour and adaptations
Feeding and Diet
Superb Lyrebirds feed on insects, spiders, worms and, occasionally, seeds. It finds food by scratching with its feet through the leaf-litter. Birds tend to forage alone, but females and young males may be seen feeding together.
Communication
Natural and mechanical sounds imitated.
The Superb Lyrebird's song is somewhat famous. About 80% of the song consists of expert mimicry, with both and joined together in a rousing medley. Sounds can include anything heard in the bird's immediate surroundings, such as chainsaws, car engines, dog barks and local native birds. The Superb Lyrebird also emits a series of whistles and cackling notes that are used as territorial calls, as well as a loud alarm shriek.
Mating and reproduction
Superb Lyrebirds breed in April to October each year (the season is slightly shorter in the north of its range). The male secures a territory, attracting potential mates by singing and dancing on one of several mounds within it, while throwing the tail forward over the body and shaking it in display. The male will mate with several females. The female alone builds the nest, incubates the eggs and cares for the young.
Breeding Season: April to October (slightly shorter in north of range).
Classification
- Species:
- novaehollandiae
- Genus:
- Menura
- Family:
- Menuridae
- Order:
- Passeriformes
- Class:
- Aves
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
Would you like to add a comment?
Sign up to add comments and find out more about the other benefits you can enjoy.
Would you like to add a tag?
Sign up to add tags and find out more about the other benefits you can enjoy.
Superb Lyrebird at Nest View full size
Donald Trounson
© Australian Museum
Support us
Help us continue to provide quality research, education, community programs and exhibitions.
Online Shop
Featuring a selection of products relating to the collections.
Australian Museum Members
Join today to come to the Museum for free and enjoy many other benefits.
AMBS
Australian Museum Business Services - Ecological, archaeological and heritage consulting.
Museum as a Venue
We have many unique venues ideal for dinner, cocktails, weddings and conferences.