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A photo of a Superb Lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae), male
Superb Lyrebird, Male

Superb Lyrebird

Menura novaehollandiae

The superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae) is an Australian songbird, one of two species from the family Menuridae. It is one of the world's largest songbirds, and is renowned for its elaborate tail and courtship displays, and its excellent mimicry. The species is endemic to Australia and is found in forest in the southeast of the country. Lyrebirds are renowned for their ornate tails. Adult males have tails up to 70 cm long, consisting of sixteen feathers. The outer two feathers, the lyrates, are broad S-shaped feathers, originally named for their resemblance to the shape of a lyre, and have brown and buff coloured patterning. Between the lyrates are twelve filamentaries, feathers of flexible silvery barbs. In the centre of the tail are two silvery median feathers. The tail of the female is less ornate, with shorter lyrates and plain, broad feathers in place of the filamentaries. In both sexes, juveniles have no ornamental tail feathers. The tail plumage develops into that of the mature bird through a series of annual moults, with feathers undergoing change in structure and patterning.
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Superb Lyrebirds on Birda

Photos

Sightings

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Nina Radonja
Sunday 23 Apr 2023 - 12:27am
Australia
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Angus Hamilton
Angus Hamilton
Tuesday 04 Apr 2023 - 4:46pm
Australia
A map showing the sighting location
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ERIC BROWN
Monday 03 Apr 2023 - 12:19am
Australia
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for ERIC BROWN
ERIC BROWN
Saturday 01 Apr 2023 - 5:34am
Australia
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