A taxidermist who had never seen a live specimen mounted a bird with its tail held in the shape of a lyre, a U-shaped, harp-like instrument.
Further details:
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. The Albert's Lyrebird does not have this feature.
The name "lyrebird" was coined when the first Superb Lyrebird specimen was sent back to England. The lyrebird was named by John Latham, an English physicist and naturalist ... not by a taxidermist.
The lyrebird is the emblem of no Australian state. However, it is on the emblem of the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service.
No studies have been done on how many sounds the lyrebird can remember, or for how long. Suffice to say that its range of vocalisations is remarkable.
There are two species of lyrebird, both native to Australia.The Superb lyrebird lives in forestbushland east of the Great Dividing Range, which runs along the eastern coast from northern Australia to the far south. Albert's lyrebird lives only within a small area of sub-tropical rainforest near the Queensland/New South Wales border.
The Lyre Bird is a large mimicking bird that can be found in Australia.
Lyrebirds are not known for swimming, as they primarily dwell in forests and on the ground. They have not evolved to be strong swimmers as their habitats do not typically include bodies of water where swimming would be necessary for survival.
The scientific name of the Superb lyrebird is Menura novaehollandiae.
No. A lyrebird is a bird. It 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 instrument known as the lyre.
Albert's Lyrebird was created in 1850.
Superb Lyrebird was created in 1801.
lark lorikeet lyrebird little wren
a lyrebird can copy any sound. :-)
· Species - menura novaehollandiae · Lyrebird - also known as Superb Lyrebird, Edward Lyrebird, Prince Edward Lyrebird, Victoria Lyrebird, Queen Victoria Lyrebird, Lyretail, Native Pheasant · Largest of Songbirds · Male measuring length 80-100 cm, including a tail 70 cm · Weight - 1 kg · Description - a short, sharp, down curved bill, brown colour, strong legs · Male's tail plumage distinguishes them from females. · Lyrebird - imitation other species and sounds
The Superb Lyrebird can fly, but it rarely does. At night it roosts in trees.
The lyrebird is the emblem of no Australian state. However, it is on the emblem of the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service.
The main predators of the lyrebird are dogs, feral cats, foxes and quolls. Goannas enjoy lyrebird eggs, while larger birds also pose a threat.
Many websites state that the tail of the Superb lyrebird has 16 feathers.
The Superb Lyrebird is on the Australian 10c coin because it is particularly unique to Australia.