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Superb Lyrebird

(Menura novaehollandiae)
Alternative names: "Lyre-bird", "Lyretail Menura", "Native Pheasant"
Aboriginal name: "wiwieringgere"
Size: male 80-95 cm; female 75-85 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

There are three races of Superb Lyrebirds. All live in the hills of the Great Dividing Range, in NSW and VIC. In northern NSW, starting at Barrington Tops National Park and further north, race "edwardi" is found. The range of nominate race "novaehollandiae" extends from Wadbilliga National Park in the south to Watagans National Park in the north. Race "victoriae" lives to the west and south of Wadbilliga NP to just east of Melbourne, VIC. In addition, there is an introduced population in the southern central part of Tasmania.

Superb Lyrebirds are usually found in relatively dense, often wet forest, preferably with a lot of undergrowth.

Sightings

A Superb Lyrebird was first spotted by us in October 2007 in Washpool National Park. First we saw a male, which was disturbed by other hikers and thus eluded us, before spotting a female that went on to have a bath in a little weir.

Lots of Superb Lyrebirds were heard (and two also seen) by us in both Jilliby State Conservation Area and Watagans National Park, about 50 km west of Newcastle, NSW, in June 2009.

A Superb Lyrebird was also heard by us at Girraween NP, southern QLD, in July 2009. Many more were heard and seen at Dorrigo National Park, northern NSW, in July 2009. Photos of these birds are extremely difficult to obtain in rainforests due to the dark conditions and the birds' shyness. The male shown below was not aware of the photographer's presence and when it moved on, it was to continue chasing a female, not to evade an intruder.

Photos

Very bad photo of a male Superb Lyrebird in courting display (the feathers above its head are visible as faint streaks)

Female Superb Lyrebird having a bath around sunset (the bird was too far away for the flash to fully illuminate it)

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Territorial Mobility: Sedentary Elementary unit: Solitary/pair

In an attempt to impress females, male Superb Lyrebirds mimic many different other bird calls, other animals and sounds such as mobile phone ringtones. How does one tell a Lyrebird's mimic from the original call/sound? Our experience is that many Lyrebirds "overdo" things. Their call, which is designed to draw attention and impress, is often more voluminous, more virtuose and more elaborate than the original. Also, if one has the impression that there are 10 or more different bird species congregating in the same area in dark underbrush, the likelihood is high that none of those whose calls are heard is actually present...

Male Superb Lyrebirds have little mounds that they use as arenas for their displays