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Superb Lyrebirds in Tasmania (was "Introduced bird species")

To: Stephen Ambrose <>, "'Tony Russell'" <>, "'Chris'" <>, "'Ralph Reid'" <>
Subject: Superb Lyrebirds in Tasmania (was "Introduced bird species")
From: Syd Curtis <>
Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2010 11:04:29 +1000
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

> From: "Stephen Ambrose" <>
> Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2010 11:17:07 +1100
> To: "'Tony Russell'" <>, "'Chris'"
> <>, "'Ralph Reid'" <>
> Cc: 'Birding-Aus' <>, 'Stephen Ambrose'
> <>
> Subject: [Birding-Aus] Superb Lyrebirds in Tasmania (was "Introduced bird
> species")
> 
> 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 

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