Image sourcing: see credits & licences
Quick answer
The superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae) is a ground-dwelling Australian songbird whose males build mound stages and mimic chainsaws, camera shutters, and dozens of other birds. Adults weigh about 1 kg, scratch for insects in wet forests of Victoria and New South Wales, and are listed Least Concern.
Top questions about the Superb Lyrebird
Superb Lyrebird facts at a glance
- Weight 1 kg
- Length 90 cm
- Top speed 20 km/h
- Lifespan 15 years
| Scientific name | Menura novaehollandiae |
|---|---|
| Diet | Insectivore |
| Habitat | Temperate rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest |
| Lifespan | Around 15 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity). |
| Weight | About 1 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary). |
| Top speed | Up to roughly 20 km/h when moving at speed. |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Menuridae |
| Genus | Menura |
Where it lives
The superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae) is native to Wet forests of southeastern Australia including Victoria and New South Wales. — recorded across Oceania in this guide’s range summary.
For occurrence records, see GBIF species search and sources below.
How big is a superb lyrebird?
An adult superb lyrebird measures 90 cm long — about 52% of the height of an average adult person (1.73 m) — and weighs around 1.0 kg, about 1% of an average adult’s body weight (70 kg).
Length vs an average adult’s height (to scale)
What is a group of superb lyrebirds called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of Superb Lyrebirds is called a musket.
Baby name
A baby Superb Lyrebird is called a chick.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Lyre tail and virtuoso mimic
Males raise ornate tail feathers into a lyre-shaped canopy over the head while singing. Repertoires include accurate copies of whipbirds, laughing kookaburras, and human-made sounds heard in their territory.
Forest-floor invertebrate scratcher
Powerful legs rake leaf litter for insects, spiders, worms, and millipedes. They rarely take plant food as a staple. Across its range it is tied to temperate rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest, and field accounts emphasise this species’ distinctive ecology rather than generic habitat labels.
Southeast Australian wet forests
Temperate rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest of southeastern Australia, especially Victoria and New South Wales; introduced to Tasmania. Across its range it is tied to temperate rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest, and field accounts emphasise this species’ distinctive ecology rather than generic habitat labels.
Fire and foxes
Least Concern across a still-substantial range, but intense bushfires and fox predation on nests can hit local numbers hard. Across its range it is tied to temperate rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest, and field accounts emphasise this species’ distinctive ecology rather than generic habitat labels.
Explore the Superb Lyrebird
Related Birds
Range & geography
Conservation status of the Superb Lyrebird
The superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Least Concern (LC) is the IUCN's lowest-risk category, assigned to widespread, abundant species that have been evaluated and found not to be threatened. It does not mean a species faces no pressures — only that it is not currently at risk of extinction.
The superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae) is assessed on the IUCN Red List. Look up on the IUCN Red List .
Frequently asked questions about the Superb Lyrebird
Can lyrebirds really mimic chainsaws?
Yes — males in logged forests have been recorded copying chainsaws, car alarms, and other mechanical noises along with bird songs.
Why do male lyrebirds build mounds?
Display arenas where they sing and dance to attract females.
Do female lyrebirds mimic too?
Females sing less elaborately; the spectacular mimicry displays are mainly male courtship behaviour.
What do superb lyrebirds eat?
Insects and other invertebrates scratched from the forest floor.
Where do superb lyrebirds live?
Wet forests of southeastern Australia, including Victoria and New South Wales.
What is a group of superb lyrebirds called?
A group of Superb Lyrebirds is called a musket.
What is a baby superb lyrebird called?
A baby Superb Lyrebird is called a chick.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Superb Lyrebird:
-
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Menura novaehollandiae.
-
iNaturalist — observations & photos
Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Menura novaehollandiae. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.
-
GBIF — occurrence data
Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Menura novaehollandiae. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.
-
eBird — bird observations
Cornell Lab eBird target search for Superb Lyrebird. Check recent checklists and seasonal abundance where birders report this species.
-
Global Animal Guide editorial standards
How we research, source, review, and update every guide for accuracy.
