It would be interesting to know if the lyrebirds that were introduced into Tasmania from the mainland in the 1930s & ’40s continued to mimic calls of some mainland bird species that aren’t present in Tasmania (if they did so beforehand), or if they readily began to mimic local bird calls instead.
It would be even more interesting to know if any of the descendants of the translocated lyrebirds mimic the calls of any mainland bird species that their ancestors mimicked.
Such information would help us understand better the nurture vs nature debate.
Stephen Ambrose Ryde, NSW
Hi Ralph,
I recorded several Superb Lyrebirds in the Hastings Caves region in 2006 including a male making chainsaw noises in between it’s Black Cockatoo and Rosella mimicry. I’d say well established at this point unless things have changed in recently.
Regards, Chris
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Ah, Whipbirds may not inhabit Tassie, but the average mainlander won’t know that. EWB calls are evocative and attention-grabbing and may persuade punters to part with their hard-earned …
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Hi all, We’ve only ever heard the southern Tas birds mimicking local birds, and other sounds – vehicles, axe chops, etc.
However, years ago the LAST Spirit of Tasmania Ferry (the big white one), had a walk-through ‘Display’ on Tassie, part of which was a rainforest walk-through. Some of the recorded calls played there (which admittedly, could have been recorded anywhere) was of lyrebirds calling and mimicking. One of the calls they were mimicking was Eastern Whipbird. I must admit, the whole thing seemed a bit strange to me – using a bird introduced into Tas., mimicking a bird that doesn’t exist in Tas, to promote walks through Tasmanian forests!!
Cheers, John Tongue Ulverstone, Tas.
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Stephen,
You wrote:
HANZAB entry for Superbs, Volume 5, page 158:
“LEARNING FROM CONSPECIFICS VERSUS LEARNING FROM OTHER SPECIES: At Poowong, Vic., continued to mimic the calls of species that had left the area 15 years previously, and did not mimic the calls of newly arrived species (Cook 1916). In Tas., where species was introduced from the mainland, birds continued to mimic Pilotbirds and Eastern Whipbirds which do not occur in Tas.; mimicry of Whipbird was still clearly identifiable in 1963, although mimicry not perfect (Sharland 1944; Fleay 1952; Wall & Wheeler 1966), and was barely recognisable by the 1980s (Reilly 1988; Smith 1988; Robinson & Curtis 1996). Mimicry of Tasmanian endemic species, such as Green Rosella Platytcercus caledonicus and Black Curawong Strepera fuliginosa, was occurring by 1950, in an area close to which mainland birds were released in 1934 (Wall & Wheeler 1966); a later report adds Yellow Wattlebird Anthochaera paradoxa, Yellow-throated Honeyeater Lichenostomus flavicollis, and Black-headed Honeyeater Melithreptus affinis (Smith 1988).
Cheers
Syd
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Yes, Stephen. I thought it was well known that the Tasmanian Superbs continued to use mimicry of Whipbirds and Pilot-birds, neither of which species occurs in Tassie. And these sounds were passed down through the generations. But I’ve heard that in the absence of models the sounds have now deteriorated beyond recognition. Not surprising after 60 plus years.
Cheers
Syd
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Stephen and all,
It’s my understanding that the Tasmanian lyrebirds continued to mimic mainland birds which don’t occur in Tas for several generations after their introduction. I believe that Richard Jordan has been researching this very question in recent years. (Not sure if Richard is currently on this email list.)
Cheers,
Carol
At 11:17 AM +1100 28/10/10, Stephen Ambrose wrote:
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