What are facts about the Lyre Bird?

Answer 1

Lyrebirds are found in Australia, and limited to the eastern coastal regions. The Superb Lyrebird lives in the south-eastern Australian mainland, from southeast Queensland down to southern Tasmania. Its habitat is moist forests, where it spends most of its time on the ground but roosts in trees at night. Albert's lyrebird is found in rainforest and wet open forest, in south-east corner of Queensland and far north-east NSW. In NSW it is found inland to the Border Ranges, and south to the coastal range south west of Ballina.

The lyrebird gained its name because the male Superb Lyrebird's tail always has the lyre-shape. Its tail feathers are ornately curved, and when on display for a female, can assume the shape of the stringed intrument known as the lyre.

Lyrebirds are known for their ability to mimic sounds, from other birds to even machinery. They have an elaborate "singing and dancing" behaviour which is a courtship ritual. It is done by the male in an attempt to attract a mate.

Lyrebirds usually build their nests on the ground, on the banks of tracks and creeks, or among ground ferns or in wiregrass. However, sometimes they build their nests on the top of tree ferns or up to 20 metres above the ground in trees.

The lifespan of a lyrebird is 20 to 25 years, but there are reports of these birds living up to 29 years.

The lyrebird features on the Australian 10c coin.