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

To: John Tongue <>
Subject: Superb Lyrebirds in Tasmania (was "Introduced bird species")
From: Laurie Knight <>
Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2010 18:33:25 +1000
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 ...

On 28/10/2010, at 2:50 PM, John Tongue wrote:

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.


On 28/10/2010, at 11:04 AM, Syd Curtis wrote:


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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