For two decades, Chook the superb lyrebird lived at the Adelaide Zoo, South Australia and wowed visitors with his vocal abilities.
Superb lyrebirds (Menura novaehollandiae) are the size of pheasants and native to southeastern Australia. The males are famous for their courtship displays which include shaking their elaborate tails and accurately mimicking a wide variety of sounds.
In the wild, superb lyrebirds mimic natural sounds. In 2009 there was a lot of construction at Adelaide Zoo. When the breeding season came Chook faithfully reproduced the sounds of hammers, power drills and workmen whistling on the job.
Close your eyes at the 3:15 mark and listen to the handsaw!
(YouTube video from Zoos SA, Australia)
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p.s. Thanks to Ed McCord for pointing out this video.
Loved the video! It sounds like he threw in a few male voices, too.
Kate, that was awesome. I didn’t know a bird could make those sounds. very entertaining. Thanks again for sharing.
Great video Kate! I wonder if he got a mate with the construction calls;-)
Hi Kate,
I know we can’t them but I have found one that is cute, Hoper, its meaning to hope
Just thought I would pass it on
sheba50
That is totally adorable. How proficient birds are as noise makers. I think that I heard human voices in there too. I have to go back and re-listen.