The Albert’s lyrebird, aka northern lyrebird, is a shy, pheasant-sized songbird endemic to the subtropical rainforests of eastern Australia. Due to exceptionally dry years, fires have long been considered their main threat, especially to outlying subpopulations. Habitat loss and destruction due to logging and wood pulp plantations is another ongoing threat faced. They are among the 10 Australian species of bird most likely to be taken by foxes, especially red foxes. Finally, climate change causes severe droughts and temperature extremes. However, they are just abundant enough to be listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Their population trend is listed as stable, for now.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Menura alberti
Weight: Up to 2.05 lbs.
Length: Up to 30 inches
Wingspan: Up to 31 inches
Lifespan: Up to 30 years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) These birds were named after Prince Albert, the prince consort of Queen Victoria, queen of the United Kingdom.
2.) They were first described by English ornithologist John Gould in his published book Birds of Australia in 1848.
3.) A powerful, flexible voice is used with a mixture of their own calls as well as mimicry of other species in long unbroken passages of song.
4.) Albert’s lyrebird’s original song shows geographic variations, and different populations can be distinguished by the variation in their songs.
5.) The males learn various sequences from other lyrebirds through social transmission, in that males within a specific location share the same sequence of mimetic songs.
But wait, there’s more on the Albert’s lyrebird!
6.) During courtship, the male initially raises his tail to arch forwards above his head, then gradually lowers and shimmers it forwards until he is enveloped beneath the veil of thin bushy filaments, these are silvery with the shiny white underside of the plumes up top.
7.) Females lay a single egg each season that hatches in up to 50 days.
Did you know…?
There were an estimated 8,100 wild individuals remaining, as of 2021.
8.) The female incubates and rears the chick by herself.
9.) Beetles, their grubs, earthworms, red worms, and other invertebrates are all readily feasted upon.
10.) Quolls, goannas, owls, hawks, eagles, and dingoes all prey on these lyrebirds.
Now a Short Albert’s Lyrebird Video!
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Some source material acquired from: Wikipedia & IUCN
