What is the correct scientific name for the lyrebird?
Menura novaehollandiae. • Is the lyrebird related to the peacock? No. • How long does the lyrebird live? There are reports of lyrebirds surviving for up to 29 years. • How old is the male when he starts to sing and does he need to practise? A young male will sing and practise his repertoire very early in his life. His song is developed by copying the songs he hears from other male lyrebirds and from other song birds in the forest. Young males practise dancing/display with other birds very early in their lives. • At what age does the male have a full tail? It usually takes 6-8 years to attain a fully adult tail. Each year between the age of one and six, young males begin to change their tails and continue to do so with each moult. A male in full moult is a strange sight because it loses all its tail feathers . • Which birds does the lyrebird imitate? Mainly other forest birds, such as the kookaburra, magpie, currawong, thrush, wattlebird, butcherbird, pilotbird, blackbird, crimson rosel
