The greatest pretender: Australia’s Superb Lyrebird

Ann at Reclaiming Space is eventually going to get on to me for copping off her blog so much, but this morning I really could not resist: this video is one of the most amazing things you’ll see today, I’d be willing to wager.

The Superb Lyrebird, or menura novaehollandiae, is a large Australian songbird so named because the plumage of the male, when fully displayed, resembles the shape of an ancient Greek harp or lyre. The male has a complex courtship ritual which includes vocal imitations of the sounds of the forest that are nothing short of stunning.

The species, thankfully, is not currently considered threatened. It has been featured on Australia’s 10-cent piece.