  
Shoalhaven Bushwalkers Inc.
     
Superb Lyrebird Facts
by Karen Davis
- Scientific name is Menura Novahollandiae, which means Australian Mighty Tail
- The male tail has 2 broad, outer, lyre-shaped feathers, 12 filamentary rays, and 2 long, central, wire-like plumes
- It is rare to find their feathers because they often bury them
- Voice box is worked by 3 intrinsic muscles instead of 4 -giving greater flexibility - they are unsurpassed imitators of any sound, usually other birds, but also SLR cameras (with motor drives), chain saws, trail bikes etc.
- Male makes several earthen display mounds in its 2-3 hectare territory
- Courtship occurs from Autumn through Winter
- Breeding occurs from May to October
- No pair bond is formed at mating
- Females build nest - a bulky dome of sticks and ferns lined with moss and feathers on rock ledges, tree stumps, in banks or tree ferns - and tends young alone
- Only one egg is laid - pale, purple-brown, blotched black
- Egg incubated for six weeks, young fledge after six weeks
- Female removes chick droppings from the nest - dropping them into water or burying them
- Weak-muscled wings are used mainly for short glides rather than flying - birds live on the ground, roost in trees
- Our club symbol, the lyrebird is shown on the 10 cent coin
(February 2006)
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