Superb Lyrebird in the Blue Mountains – Includes up-close views of mimicry
66These intimate views of an adult male Superb Lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae) were captured in the Blue Mountains National Park (Australia) in December 2022 and June 2023. The video showcases male territorial singing and mimicry in the (winter) breeding season, the best time of year to hear the world’s greatest songster. All the footage was gleaned in a limited area, from the end of Murphy’s Lane (Wentworth Falls) to Breakfast Point Lookout, and a short walk downhill to Den Fenella Creek.
Habitat quality is probably high here so territory size is likely to be small. Hence, the preening male near the creek in summer may not be the foraging/singing male on the ridge in winter. We assume all the latter scenes are the same bird because he was filmed on consecutive days on the same section of track. The stunning vistas across Jamison Valley, with lyrebirds calling below, were recorded two days later. What an experience! At least four SL were singing around the same time, albeit the microphone is less discerning than one’s ears, especially amidst the loud sighs of casuarinas. All footage was collected late in the day, with some SL scenes close to dusk.
The SL is only one of two species in Menuridae, whose lineage goes back to the first songbirds (see “Where Song Began” by Tim Low, 2014). Their song has been described as magnificent, elaborate, complex and beautiful. With their great pitch range and astonishing mimicry, could there be a more accomplished, more loved songbird? Those who dare to rate songbirds, invariably place the SL at the top. What’s remarkable about all of this is that lyrebirds have fewer throat muscles than the great majority (4500 species) of songbirds (Low, 2014).
SL can vocalise at any time of year, but the type and quantity of utterances depend upon sex, age and season. While females are less studied, it’s clear they are capable of mimicry, SL-specific alarm calls, soft or loud clucking and other nest-related sounds. However, it’s the vocal repertoire of the adult male that has made this bird world-famous. Adult male song includes mimicry (mostly other birds) and territorial song (which is “lyrebird song” but in some cases possibly inspired by other birds, e.g. honeyeaters – V. Powys pers. comm.). Territorial song can be heard several times in this video, such as 0.36, 0.47 and 1.30 etc. Territorial songs are unique to each geographic location and vary little over time (V. Powys - https://caperteebirder.com/?page_id=29).
The male repertoire also includes display calls such as “blick” (aka “plik”, heard at 4.14), “twang” (0.03) and clicking (e.g. 3.31), especially if a female is close by and then often performed with tail display/dance (not seen here but visit https://youtu.be/z1px4PIrEbU for an example). And like all SL, he does alarm calls and miscellaneous sounds (e.g. grunts).
Adult male song peaks in winter, and is best heard early morning and late afternoon. As he proclaims his territory, he is basically engaging in a singing competition, whereby the prize is mating with several females. He may sing between foraging or when roosting, or on a low mound when a female is near. Because young males copy adult male song, creating a “regional dialect”, individual SL can’t be distinguished on the basis of voice only. A better guide is exact location and any distinct physical characteristics.
As you watch this video, keep in mind another amazing fact: young SL learn most of their mimicry from older males, rather than simply copying the other bird species around them. It’s all the more surprising when you consider how often they would hear these bird sounds directly, such as those mimicked by our starring male SL: i.e. Satin Bowerbird (three call types), Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo (and possibly a fragment of Sulphur-crested Cockatoo), Pied Currawong (some variation, and possibly bill-snapping, which is also a trait of Red Wattlebirds), Eastern Whipbird (either male call only, or with female reply), Laughing Kookaburra, Crimson Rosella (with variation), Australian King Parrot and juvenile Australian Magpie (or currawong) being fed. The mimicked sounds may not be in any particular order, but SL’s are very fussy about what bird sounds they use during the breeding season.
In short, SL are exceptional mimics BUT the copying starts with their own kind. However, it’s a bit more complicated than that. Lyrebirds need to hear the “model species” for the maintenance of these sounds in the SL population. When lyrebirds were introduced to Tasmania, they mimicked endemic mainland birds for decades, but eventually these sounds faded from the repertoire and were replaced by those of Tasmanian birds. SL also learn less natural sounds, such as barking dogs and machinery, but this mimicry is uncommon and is not used in breeding season song.
Filmed, edited and produced by Darren and Thalia Broughton. Special thanks to Vicki Powys for sharing her considerable knowledge for the video description.