Lyrebirds are unique Australian birds, celebrated for their exceptional vocal mimicry and the elaborate tail feathers of the male. These ground-dwelling songbirds can replicate a wide array of sounds from their environment, from other birds to mechanical noises.
Geographic Range
Lyrebirds are exclusively found in Australia. Their distribution is concentrated in the southeastern parts of the continent. The Superb Lyrebird, Menura novaehollandiae, can be found across southeastern Australia, extending from southern Victoria through eastern New South Wales and into southeastern Queensland. This range broadly follows the Great Dividing Range and its associated coastal areas.
An introduced population of the Superb Lyrebird also thrives in southern Tasmania, established between 1934 and 1954. Their presence spans various national parks and some non-protected bushland areas within these states. For instance, they are found in Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges and Kinglake National Parks, and New South Wales’ Royal National Park, Illawarra region, and parts of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. These birds are largely sedentary, rarely moving far and generally remaining within a home range of about 10 kilometers in diameter.
Typical Habitat Preferences
Lyrebirds primarily inhabit dense, moist forests. Their preferred environments include temperate rainforests, wet sclerophyll forests, and areas characterized by rich undergrowth. These ground-dwelling birds favor locations with an open ground layer of moist leaf litter, shaded by ample vegetation.
The dense foliage provides cover from predators, while the moist forest floor offers abundant foraging opportunities. Lyrebirds scratch vigorously through leaf litter and soil to find insects, spiders, worms, and other invertebrates. They generally roost in trees at night but spend their days foraging on the ground.
Species-Specific Locations
The two lyrebird species, the Superb Lyrebird and the Albert’s Lyrebird, exhibit distinct geographical distributions. The Superb Lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae) possesses a wider range across southeastern Australia, including its introduced population in Tasmania.
In contrast, the Albert’s Lyrebird (Menura alberti) has a significantly more restricted range. This species is found only in a small area of subtropical rainforests located on the border between New South Wales and Queensland. Key areas include the McPherson and Tweed Ranges in northern New South Wales, and south-eastern Queensland, specifically around Tamborine Mountain, Springbrook National Park, and the Lamington Plateau. They prefer rainforests with dense undergrowth of vines and shrubs, or wet sclerophyll forests with a similar understory.