Amazing –*is this bird for real?

[gogs67]

I've a feeling this is clever editing but i don't know................
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...375&q=Lyrebird
to the chainsaw!

[Jane M]

Ummmm it's true...it's taken from a series that I watched a few years back...can't remember the name of it though. Astonishing isn't it????

[absentmindedfan]

Yup. It's a Lyrebird as seen on David Attenborough's The Secret Life of Birds (I think) It's from the same family as the Mynah bird I think, another great mimic.

Sadly the bird copying the sounds of the chainsaw is mimicing the sounds of the destruction of its forest habitat.

We used to have a Blackbird in the cemetary next to us that imitated mobile phone rings, it fooled me once or twice!

[feral]

That is so freaky! Superb.

[gogs67]

Ummmm it's true...it's taken from a series that I watched a few years back...can't remember the name of it though. Astonishing isn't it????

Can you actually remember the chainsaw bit being on the program?I know birds can be amazing mimics but the footage of that bit looks like it's on a loop as the bird is making the noises,all the other sounds are fine but that bit just makes me think someone is at it and done some very clever editing!

[absentmindedfan]

No it actually mimics the chainsaw. It also sings other birds' songs and imitates the sound of a camera shutter and film winding. I should imagine by now it can imitate digital camera bleeps and mobile phones too.

It's a male Lyrebird's song, he imitates all the other noises he hears to impress the ladies.

[Cumin]

It is so astonishing. The original record and playback feature! Everyday I am more amazed at what evolution can produce in the natural world.

[Mr Flibble]

There's an article on wikipedia, they can also do barking dogs and babies crying. Unfortunately when I was watching the video I was expecting it to start singing YMCA, so i was more than a little disappointed

[absentmindedfan]

You're thinking of the singing staring frog of Southern Sri Lanka. Old time showtunes and disco classics in the heat of new Ceylon

[paulvegan]

i saw the David Attenborough clip recently when he was talking about climate change. the bird was amazing, nature is a amazing thing . sounds shit the way i put it but i hope you know wot i mean