GrrlScientist is an evolutionary biologist, ornithologist, aviculturist, birder and freelance science and nature writer. A native of the Pacific Northwest, she relocated from Seattle to NYC with her parrots after earning a BS in Microbiology (emphasis in Virology) and PhD in Zoology (Ornithology) from the University of Washington. In NYC, she was the Chapman Postdoctoral Fellow at the American Museum of Natural History for two years, pursuing part of her "dream" research project by reconstructing a molecular phylogeny of the parrots of the South Pacific islands. GrrlScientist and her five parrots are currently relocating to Germany, where she will continue writing her blog while also writing a book and learning German. (Meanwhile, her parrots will continue to nibble on her extensive personal library.) If you appreciate GrrlScientist's writing, you can help pay her living expenses by hiring her to "blog" your conference, speak at your club or write articles for your publication (or by clicking on the Paypal button below). If you read an essay on this blog that you especially enjoyed, please nominate it for inclusion in 
In April 2006, to celebrate naturalist Sir David Attenborough's 80th birthday, the public were asked to vote on their favorite of his television moments. This clip of the superb lyrebird, Menura novaehollandiae, from his ten-part series, The Life of Birds, was voted number one.
(video below the fold because there is no "start" button; it begins downloading as soon as the page pops up) [3:34]
There are two species of lyrebirds that are endemic to Australia. They are ground-dwelling birds that are most notable for their extraordinary ability to mimic natural and artificial sounds from their environment, as this particular bird demonstrates so well. This leads me to ask, this bird's repertoire of imitated sounds is somewhat amusing, but also somewhat sad, don't you think? (I am, of course, referring to the large number of man-made sounds).
Hat tip: Ian T, who found this video on the vlog, Devil Ducky. This video was originally accessible on YouTube, where I find all of the videos that I feature here. If you are staring at a big blue "Q" instead of watching David Attenborough sneak through the bushes, you can download it to your computer (wmv format). Notice that both sources got DAVID Attenborough's name wrong (they both incorrectly referred to him as "Richard" Attenborough, instead).
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Comments
I don't agree that imitating sounds is sad, per se. The lyrebirds, like the mockingbirds, build up a repertoire of sounds, and their prowess is assessed in part by the size of their repertoire. So, I don't think the source of the sounds is really important. Interestingly, there are many Australians on Birding-Aus (their Birdchat) who question whether this sequence is very natural for lyrebirds.
Posted by: Eric Jeffrey | June 7, 2006 6:39 PM
Fabulous birds! Too bad there is not much about them on the internet. Can't find any recordings and very little text. If I hadn't seen the documentary I would never have known about them (until now, that is ;-)......
Posted by: skblllzzzz | June 7, 2006 6:49 PM
So what do I click on to see the lyrebird??
Posted by: John Walters | June 7, 2006 7:36 PM
I run tours on a regular basis through the forests of the east coast of Australia which are home to the Superb Lyrebird. The calls which this fascinating bird is capable of in the wild easily eclipse those from David's friend on the Life of Birds. Their repetoir includes anything as it appears that their skills in this regard have no limit. Their normal call is known as the "Space Invaders" call as it sounds like a repetitive gun from the amusement hall game of the same name which was popular in the 1970's. To watch their display is an unforgettable moment of pure magic. The male clears a small patch in the forest and dances up a storm on it all the while with his beautiful whispy tail feathers forming a veil over him. His beautiful barred feathers or "lyrates" extend to the sides and look amazing. He dances like a wind-up toy when a female approaches and, if she approves of the performance, she will join him under the veil where they will copulate. The whole performance can take more than half an hour. If you're ever fortunate enough to witness this you will never forget it and count it as one of your most memorable birding occasions.
Posted by: Ricki Coughlan | June 7, 2006 7:41 PM
John, you can go to http://www.devilducky.com/media/46386/
I remember seeing this in the documentary. I'm still in awe of the chainsaw sounds.
Posted by: pough | June 7, 2006 7:57 PM
On the occasion of Sir David Attenborough's 80th birthday, I think we should consider the spectacular performance one of my all-time favorite naturalists: Sir David Attenborough.
Posted by: Joseph j7uy5 | June 7, 2006 8:22 PM
Oh my freakin' lord. The camera shutter click was awesome, but chainsaws? my jaw was on the floor.
But I do agree it's sad that they even get to hear chainsaws, which must mean their habitat is threatened.
Posted by: Nicolas Demers | June 7, 2006 11:12 PM
The lyrebird featured in Life of Birds was a captive specimen from Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria.
Mimicry of artificial sound by wild Lyrebirds is rare. I've heard thousands of Lyrebirds without hearing imitations of artificial sounds. I'm sure it must happen but even in well-forested suburbs around Sydney where Lyrebirds can be backyard birds I haven't heard it.
Its not uncommon for for people to mistake some of the sounds in their rich song streams for imitations of artificial sounds.
Andrew
Posted by: Andrew Taylor | June 8, 2006 12:45 AM
thanks andrew, for clearing that up. i thought i also heard a few songs from species of birds that should not be found in Australia .. but because I am not an expert on Australian bird song, I couldn't be sure. so it makes sense that this bird is a captive, considering the strange repertoire.
Posted by: GrrlScientist | June 8, 2006 10:49 AM
That is a great video, and even DH loved it!
thanks GrrlScientist!
Posted by: Dawn | June 8, 2006 11:18 PM
I assume Andrew is right and that such mimicry of man-made sounds is rare...however, I also assume that the clip from Attenborough's piece was authentic. If so, you have to be astonished at the clarity of the chainsaw sequence. And the irony and tragic symbolism! I am glad it was not revealed that the bird was captive in the series, because as it stands it was so ironic for the bird to be mimicing the very destruction of its habitat! It diminishes the effect a bit to learn it was captive....still it was a wonderful series of shows and this sequence really stood out. Thanks for posting it!
Posted by: Earl | June 9, 2006 1:40 AM