The Lyrebird

Named one of the worlds weirdest Songbirds by National Geographic

Where did this songbird get its name from I asked? The male Lyrebird will break out into a song mimicking not only just other bird tunes but strangely enough man made noises like car alarms, chainsaws and many other creating a remix that would give most songwriters a run for their money.

So did the largest songbirds name “Lyrebird” come from the word Lie? Made up from them falsely making themselves out to be another bird or object! That could ring true. The answer is no! The Lyrebird gets its name from the spectacular shape of its tail feathers’ which resemble the ancient Greek harp called a “lyre harp”.

These ground dwelling pheasant-sized songbirds are found in moist forest areas of South-Eastern Australia. They are very shy birds and have been very hard to spot.

Whilst out walking near 7 Acre Rock in Victoria this weekend it was very refreshing to hear and see so many Lyrebirds which are rumoured to be threatened. How wonderful to see nature at it’s best during these very trying times.

By Sarah Bullock