Menura – Lyrebird

These Australian natives are famous not just for their size—among the largest of all songbirds—but also for their astonishing ability to mimic sounds from their environment. From chainsaws and car alarms to camera shutters and other birds’ songs, lyrebirds can copy an enormous variety of noises with uncanny accuracy, making them some of nature’s best impressionists.

What sets lyrebirds apart from other birds is their spectacular tail feathers, especially in males. The Superb lyrebird’s tail forms the shape of a classical lyre, with two long, curving outer feathers framing a fan of delicate, lace-like plumes. During courtship displays, males fan out their tails over their heads while performing complex dances and songs, turning the forest floor into a stage. Albert’s lyrebird, while lacking the ornate lyre-shaped tail, has long, rich brown tail feathers and performs equally mesmerizing vocal performances.

Lyrebirds are also masters of performance and endurance. A single male can sing for hours at a time during the breeding season, cycling through dozens of sounds, both mimicked and original. Their displays are not just about noise—the timing, rhythm, and variety all play a role in impressing potential mates. Young males spend years perfecting their repertoires, learning from older males and their surrounding environment. This ability to imitate has fascinated humans for centuries, with lyrebirds becoming symbols of creativity and adaptability in Australian folklore.

In some areas, lyrebirds have even been recorded imitating sounds of human activity, such as saws, dogs barking, and camera clicks, showing how closely they observe the world around them. Despite their flamboyant courtship, they are shy and elusive, usually scratching quietly through the leaf litter for insects and grubs. Their impressive tail feathers take years to develop fully, meaning young males go through a long apprenticeship before they can wow females with the full spectacle.