Superb Lyrebirds in Tasmania

Hi Stephen,

Not that I have observed or heard Superb Lyrebirds in my 3 visits to Tasmania. So this is not my information but yes it has often been written that for at least some (many)years they mimicked mainland only species and that this was passed on. Just part of the evidence that a lot of what they mimic is copied from older lyrebirds. Though presumably over time (years) and without further reinforcement from hearing these sounds, they drop out of the repertoire or become too inaccurate to recognise. Surely though they would have started mimicking local species by now. (Many model species also are common to Vic & Tas.)

As far as nurture vs nature debate goes. The behaviour is nature, the choice of items is nurture. Although a lot of their calls are their own and many mistakes are made in thinking that some of their sounds are mimicry, that are just their own noises and presumably instinctive. This usually or always includes descriptions of chainsaw noises.

Philip