Albert's Lyrebird

Albert's Lyrebird is the lesser-known of Australia's two lyrebird species, restricted to a small area of subtropical and warm temperate rainforest straddling the New South Wales-Queensland border. It is smaller and more richly reddish-brown than its famous relative, the Superb Lyrebird, with a chestnut throat and breast and duller, more subdued upperparts.

The male's tail, while still long and elaborate, differs structurally from the Superb Lyrebird's: rather than forming a lyre shape with paired curved outer feathers, it lacks the strongly barred lyrate feathers and instead forms a rufous, plumed arch or curtain that is thrown forward over the head during display, without the silvery lace-like sheen of its relative's tail.

Owing to its very restricted range and dependence on undisturbed rainforest, Albert's Lyrebird is far less familiar to most Australians than the widespread Superb Lyrebird, and it is considerably more difficult to observe, tending to remain deep within dense vegetation.

Key field marks

• Medium-large, dark reddish-brown ground bird with chestnut throat and breast
• Male's tail is long, rufous, and forms a plumed arch rather than a true lyre shape when displayed
• Overall warmer, more rufous tone than the greyer Superb Lyrebird
• Strong legs and feet for scratching in leaf litter, crouched running gait

Similar species

The only realistic confusion species is the Superb Lyrebird, which is larger, greyer overall, and has a male tail with distinctive lyre-shaped outer feathers rather than a plumed arch. The two species do not overlap in range, so location is a reliable clue: Albert's Lyrebird occurs only in the McPherson Range and adjacent border ranges, well north of the nearest Superb Lyrebird populations.

Habitat

Albert's Lyrebird is a rainforest specialist, restricted to subtropical and warm temperate rainforest with a dense, shaded understorey and abundant leaf litter, often in gullies and on steep, moist slopes.

Range

Its entire global range is confined to a small area of the McPherson Range and Border Ranges spanning far northeastern New South Wales and adjacent southeastern Queensland, making it one of Australia's most range-restricted songbirds.

Migration

The species is non-migratory and highly sedentary, with individuals holding stable territories within continuous rainforest tracts; its restricted distribution makes it vulnerable to habitat fragmentation and fire.

Behavior

Like its relative, Albert's Lyrebird is a ground-dwelling bird that forages by scratching through leaf litter and rarely flies far. Males maintain display platforms of cleared vegetation and vine tangles rather than the open earthen mounds used by Superb Lyrebirds, where they sing and perform their tail display.

Voice

Alberts Lyrebirds are accomplished mimics, weaving imitations of other rainforest birds into their own loud, complex song, though they are generally considered slightly less prolific mimics than Superb Lyrebirds. Singing is most intense in the cooler months during the breeding season.

Feeding

It feeds on invertebrates such as worms, insects, and spiders, uncovered by raking through damp leaf litter with its feet.

Nesting and breeding

Males are polygynous and take no part in nest building or chick-rearing. Females build a large domed nest of sticks and vine tendrils, typically low in a tree fern or on a rocky ledge, and incubate and raise a single chick alone.