Superb Lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae )

The understorey of Silver Wattle and

Hickory Wattle provides food in the form

Of energy-rich gum. In addition, there are

Insects garnered from beneath the bark of

Eucalypts and the sugary manna ( a sweet

Substance obtained from various plants.)

that oozes from damaged leaves and

branches. Perhaps more familiar, if only

for their calls ringing and resounding

through the gigantic pillars of the

eucalypts and across fern-tangled gullies,

are the Superb Lyrebird (Menura

noveaehollandiae)and the Eastern Whipbird

(Psophodes olivaceus). It is not unusal

to hear a Lyrebird mimicking a pair of

Whipbirds, for the well-known whipcrack

Call is in fact a joint effort. The

Whistling crack is delivered by the male,

Who is answered by the female with the

Double note that completes the call. These

Attractive olive green birds, with their

black crests and white throat patch, spend

much of their time on the forest floor

where they feed on invertebrates found

amongst the leaves and detritus.

(Jarrah with flowering wattle understorey)

The Lyrebird also seeks its food at this

Level, tearing up litter and earth with

Its large, strong feet and claws to expose

Insects and their larvae. Smaller

'hangers-on', such as the southern Yellow

Robin, are quick to take advantage of

Invertebrate food stirred up by the

Lyrebirds activities.

(Southern Yellow Robin)

The powerful feet are also used by the male

In the breeding season to build a number

Of display mounds of earth and debris

Around his territory. They form a stage

On which he dances and performs his

Repertoire of calls and vocal imitations

To impress potential mates

set design©Kids4ME2004

Music - The Forest Speaks