lyrebird

[ lahyuhr-burd ]

noun

1. an Australian passerine bird of the genus Menura, the male of which has a long tail that is lyrate when spread.

lyrebird

/ ˈlaɪəˌbɜːd /

noun

1. either of two pheasant-like Australian birds, Menura superba and M. alberti, constituting the family Menuridae: during courtship displays, the male spreads its tail into the shape of a lyre

Word History and Origins

Origin of lyrebird¹

First recorded in 1825–35; lyre + bird

Example Sentences

Scientists have closely analyzed and quantitatively described this behavior among lyrebirds in the wild, work now published in The American Naturalist.

From Science Daily

Then, you can hear a single male lyrebird give a nearly pitch-perfect imitation of the mob’s coos and clucks.

From Science Magazine

This collection captures the five-octave range of the lyrebird via a mutating mélange of melodies, trills, clicks, squeaks, warbles and staccato bursts.

From New York Times

During past fires, we’ve seen some really surprising creative behaviours, like lyrebirds and wallabies going down wombat burrows to escape fire.

From Nature

Some lyrebirds in eastern Australia sing a tune their ancestors may have learned from a settler’s flute nearly a century ago.

From The Guardian