AlbertIs Lyrebird - Male in courtship display
Albert's Lyrebird - Male in courtship display (Menura alberti). Montane rainforest at The Head, near Wilsons Peak, Queensland/New South Wales border, Australia. Male Albert's lyrebirds display all winter (breeding season) on rudimentary display mounds consisting of a few trampled sticks or low vines on the montane rainforest floor. Several alternate sites are used but there is usually a favourite used first thing in the morning. The bird stamps, quivers its tail and sings (it is a passerine), with very rich loud song and mimicry of other bird species plus other sounds. This attracts females for mating and declares the territory. Unlike the Superb lyrebird of more southern forests, which has down-curved tail feathers that lie flat across the bird's back when raised, the albert's tail feathers are unswept. When they are raised forward over the bird's body in display, the down-curving forms this curious lacy shroud, inside which the bird sings and dances
