BIRD #18 OF 45

Superb Lyrebird

The Superb Lyrebird is one of Australia’s most extraordinary birds, famous for its incredible ability to mimic the sounds of other birds, and even human-made noises. Shy and secretive, it spends most of its time scratching through leaf litter on the forest floor.

If you’re lucky, you might hear one long before you see it.

  • HABITAT

    Forest, rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest

  • CONSERVATION STATUS

    Least Concern (LC)

  • LOCATION

    QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC

  • HOW TO SPOT IT

    🤎 Large, ground-dwelling bird with rich brown plumage
    🪶 Male has an elaborate lyre-shaped tail used in display
    🍂 Often seen scratching through leaf litter with powerful feet
    🌿 Usually found in dense forests and gullies

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Superb Lyrebirds can mimic dozens of different sounds, including other birds, camera shutters, chainsaws and car alarms. A single male may have a repertoire of more than 20 different bird species.