A bird that imitates a chainsaw, car alarm, camera shutter sound, and much more

In eastern Australia and on the island of Tasmania lives a unique bird — the superb lyrebird, or the large lyrebird. It is known not only for its luxurious tail, reminiscent of the shape of a lyre, but also for its incredible vocal abilities, which amaze both scientists and nature lovers.

The lyrebird is capable of copying the songs of other birds and animal sounds with such precision that even the animals themselves cannot distinguish its imitation from the original. Its repertoire includes imitation of at least 20 different animal species. But its talents do not end there.

The most amazing thing is — the lyrebird can reproduce almost any sound it hears in the forest. These can be the sounds of working chainsaws of lumberjacks, the clicks of the shutter and drive mechanism of cameras, car alarms, and even human speech. Its ability to accurately copy these sounds makes it one of the most outstanding mimics in the animal world.

These birds use their vocal skills not only for communication but also to attract mates. During the breeding season, males put on real performances: they sing complex melodies, dance, and display their magnificent tail, creating an unforgettable spectacle.

If you ever find yourself in the forests of eastern Australia or Tasmania, listen to the surrounding sounds. Perhaps, among the usual noises of nature, you will hear sounds that will make you smile and wonder, realizing that their source is not a human or a machine, but the amazing lyrebird.

 

The lyrebird imitates chainsaws, car alarms, and much more

 

Interesting facts about the lyrebird

Unique tail

The tail of the male lyrebird consists of 16 feathers, two of which resemble the shape of a lyre — an ancient Greek musical instrument. During mating dances, the male raises the tail over its head, creating a spectacular visual display.

Ancient birds

Lyrebirds are considered to be among the most ancient species of songbirds. Their evolutionary lineage dates back about 50 million years, making them living relics.

Building stages

Males create special platforms on the ground, clearing them of vegetation. These "stages" are used for performing mating dances and songs to attract the attention of females.

Long learning process

Young lyrebirds spend up to 7 years perfecting their vocal abilities and imitation repertoire before they become competent enough to attract mates.

Exceptional imitators

Lyrebirds are capable of mimicking not only the sounds of other birds and animals but also a variety of artificial noises, such as hand saws, chainsaws, engines and car alarms, fire sirens, gunshots, camera shutter clicks, dog barking, baby crying, music, mobile phone ringtones, and even human voices.

The story of a lyrebird named James

In the early 1930s, a lyrebird named James befriended Mrs. Wilkinson, who regularly fed him. After that, James performed a courtship dance for her on one of his mounds, made in her backyard. The bird demonstrated the same to a larger audience but only in the presence of Mrs. Wilkinson. During one such instance, James' courtship lasted for 43 minutes, during which he walked, accompanying his steps with a melody of his own making, imitating:

• the cries of an Australian magpie and a young magpie being fed by its parent;
• the Australian eastern whipbird;
• the Australian bellbird;
• the laugh of two kookaburras, laughing in unison;
• the yellow-tailed black cockatoo;
• the gang-gang cockatoo;
• the eastern rosella;
• the pied butcherbird;
• the red wattlebird;
• the grey shrike-thrush;
• the spiny-cheeked honeyeater;
• the white-browed scrubwren;
• the spotted pardalote;
• the starling;
• the golden whistler;
• a flock of parrots whistling in flight;
• the crimson rosella;
• several other birds that were difficult to identify;
• the trills of honeyeaters (tiny birds with thin voices) gathering in groups and chirping sweet voices. To imitate the sweet-voiced birds, James had to lower his powerful voice to weak and very quiet, but he was very inventive, making every tone in this chorus audible and distinguishable.

James also included in his performance successful imitations of the sounds of a jackhammer, hydraulic lift, and car horn.