"Attack" of the Lyrebird.

[neilmny]

Here's something new....well new to me. Out walking this afternoon in the Dandenongs and I startled a pair of Lyrebirds that flew off making quite a racket, a sound that was a cross between a squeel and a high pitched whistle.
One landed on a tree limb about 30 metres away the other on the ground below, all the while making the screeching noise except for a couple of Kookaburra imitations for good measure.
The bird on the limb flew back in my direction which was quite a surprise and landed behind a fallen rotting log. He proceeded to come towards me along the ground making the screeching noise as he went. I'm guessing there is a nest very close to where I was standing. He came to within about 3 metres and loudly let me know he wasn't at all happy with me being there. I decided to walk on rather than irritate him any further (or my ears....it was loud). He followed parallel to me for about 10 metres before finally turning back still screeching his protest.

I have never encountered this before it was totally new to me. Has anyone else experienced this with a Lyrebird.

Found this link to an audio file. The "screech" is at about 2:35 http://www.urbanbirder.com.au/audio/dow ... rongap.mp3

[MickyB]

I'm guessing there is a nest very close to where I was standing

Think you would be right neilmny.

The same thing happened to me last month in Mt Worth State Park although it was only one lyrebird making a racket. It was also very quick, darting from one place to another. At first I thought it must have been a 'mating dance' but I couldn't see the mate. I watched it for a few minutes without realising it was trying to scare me off. From where I was standing I took about five steps forward and then heard a deafening squawk coming from near my feet. I was standing beside a lyrebird nest and obviously scared the mother or baby in the nest. It was a great experience seeing a nest in the natural environment but I moved on quickly (after a couple of quick photos) as I didn't want to disturb them any more than I already had.

I have seen heaps of lyrebirds over the years but never had an experience like this.