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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.
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The lyrebird is the emblem for which state?
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.
How many sounds can the lyrebird remember?
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.
What is a lyrebird?
A lyrebird is a ground-dwelling bird native to Australia. Known for its impressive ability to mimic natural and artificial sounds, including chainsaws and car alarms, the lyrebird uses its tail feathers to create a lyre-shaped display during courtship. It is considered one of the best mimics in the avian world.
What is the name of a large Australian song bird that mimics?
The name of the large Australian songbird that mimics is the lyrebird. It is known for its remarkable ability to mimic natural and mechanical sounds, including chainsaws and car alarms.
Can a lyrebird swim?
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.
