Superb Lyrebird
Menura novaehollandiae
Bulen-bulen
Through the cold months, male lyrebirds perform elaborate displays—fanning their lyre-shaped tail feathers over their backs and mimicking every sound they've heard: other birds, chainsaws, camera shutters. Their song echoes through wet gullies at dawn. They scratch through leaf litter for invertebrates, turning over the forest floor.
Climate context
Display and breeding occur in winter at forest temperatures of 5–15°C. Needs moist leaf litter in wet gullies—nesting success depends on winter rainfall.
Seasonal indicator
- Displaying during Waring (Wombat season).
When to look
Monthly displaying observations in Victoria. Data from iNaturalist.
Where to look
Observations along the Merri Creek corridor (Fawkner to Dights Falls). Data from iNaturalist.