Mimicry by Lyrebird

["Philip Veerman" <>]

Hi Shane,

As Carol suggested (I agree with her) what you describe fits very well with one 
of the Lyrebird's own main calls, which varies geographically but is 
recognisable pretty much throughout the range of the species. What a lot of 
people don't realise is that the mimicry component is a relatively unimportant 
to male lyrebird communication. It is fill in sound that the bird uses to show 
off its abilities (that is probably its main importance) and make noise until 
the important thing happens and that is an interesting lady lyrebird arrives. 
It then (but not only then) indulges in proper lyrebird calls and that is the 
part that (presumably) means something. And yes I'm generalising.

Philip