The lyrebird (琴鸟) is one of Australia's best-known birds. It has a small head and long, strong legs. Its body is dark brown or gray. The female has a long brown tail behind her but the lyrebird is remembered because of the male's extremely beautiful tail. It has sixteen feathers and is about one metre long. The two outer feathers of the tail are golden brown and curved. This curved shape reminds people of a musical instrument — the lyre. The other surprising thing about the lyrebird is that it can copy perfectly any sound around. It can remember the songs of about twenty other kinds of birds. These days, lyrebirds have been heard copying the sounds of car alarms and crying babies!
Lyrebirds are found in wet rainforest. Because they are not great flyers, they spend most of their time on the floor where there is plenty of food. They use their strong claws to turn over rocks to find something to eat.
After growing into an adult, the male makes a space in the forest, or builds a hill, and he dances on the hill. He spreads his tail forward over his head and shakes it, jumping and moving slowly from side to side. The male sings wonderful songs. How could any female refuse his love?
The female builds her own nest in an old tree or on some rocks. It is a round nest with a hidden side entrance which helps to protect the eggs from other hungry animals. She lays a single egg and brings up her chick alone.
When in danger, lyrebirds will try to run away. They can use their wings to fly onto low trees and rocks. They also use strange sounds they can make to scare away their enemies.
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