Superb lyrebirds are large passerines found in the rainforests of eastern Australia. They owe their name to the characteristic lyre shaped feathers of the tail that the males fan out horizontally while courting females. The wings are short and are only capable of weak flight, while the sturdy legs allow them to run fast through the undergrowth, preying on insects and other invertebrates. These birds are known for their ability to mimic a huge variety of sounds, from those of other birds and some mammals, to certain human sounds, such as whistling, the ringing of a mobile phone, the click of a camera or the sound of a chainsaw. They exploit these amazing vocalisations during courtship, singing and dancing in a specially cleared area of the undergrowth.
The specimen on display, mentioned in a manuscript from 1851, is a male Superb lyrebird, or Menura novaehollandiae, the largest of the lyrebirds. During the 19th century these birds were highly sought after and appreciated by European museums.
