I was taking pictures of Lyre birds today and was puzzled by the differences in thier tails. The first pair had quite 'boring' tails in comparison to the next two pairs that I saw with beautiful colourful tail feathers. I thought maybe the first ones weren't lyre birds...but yet they seemed to be doing the normal 'Lyre bird activities' ...scratching the ground and eating insects. Can anyone explain the difference?Thanks, Hev.
Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best
Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best
Hi Heva1
Males have the fancy display tails, when mature.
Female tails plainer,
.
I note your birds are colour banded - presumably in Sherbrook Forest, or other well studied area?
.
Denis
Denis Wilson
www.peonyden.blogspot.com
Thanks for the info Denis, the first two I saw were together....so must have been two females? then I saw another two pairs all with gorgeous tails, so they go around in same- gender pairs foraging? The first two were about 30 mins walk from the others. I also saw them roosting and getting quite high up in the trees, I thought this unusual as I have only ever seen them foraging on the floor and they seem ungainly to be getting high up the trees, but actually they were quite agile and fascinating to watch. Ended up walking back to the car in the dark as I was so intrigued by them! Yes, near Sherbrooke, Grants picnic ground near Belgrave. I have also seen a lot in Yarram in the winter but interetsingly never seen any with the beautiful russet tails... so must have only seen females there.Hev.
Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best
Hi Denis, I meant to ask you another question.... when would I be likely to see the 'mating dance' of the male Lyrebird? or is it just a question of being patient whenever I see one? I have only ever seen William Ricketts imitate the dance on the video at the Ricketts sanctuary, not the same as the real thing though!!Hev
Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best
Hi Heva1
Now is the season.
You will hear them calling. But it is very hard to see them dancing, unless they are very "tame" (as some have become in Sherbrook Forest). You must move in very quietly and slowly.
They make little clearings in the forest, for the males need room to dance and move their tails around.
The males do their dance and calling in late autumn and winter, primarily.
Denis
Denis Wilson
www.peonyden.blogspot.com