Lyrebird
| Lyrebird Temporal range: Early Miocene to present
| |
|---|---|
| Superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Infraorder: | Menurides |
| Family: | Menuridae Lesson, 1828 |
| Genus: | Menura Latham, 1801 |
| Type species | |
| Menura novaehollandiae Latham 1801
| |
| Species | |
A lyrebird is either of two species of ground-dwelling Australian birds that compose the genus Menura, and the family Menuridae. They are most notable for their ability to mimic a variety of natural and artificial sounds from their environment, and for the striking beauty of the male bird's huge tail when it is fanned out in courtship display. Lyrebirds have unique plumes of neutral-coloured tailfeathers and are among Australia's best-known native birds.