Lyrebird

A lyrebird is either of two species of ground-dwelling Australian birds, that form the genus, Menura, and the family Menuridae. They are most notable for their superb ability to mimic natural and artificial sounds from their environment. As well as their extraordinary mimicking ability, lyrebirds are notable because of the striking beauty of the male bird's huge tail when it is fanned out in display; and also because of their courtship display. Lyrebirds have unique plumes of neutral-coloured tailfeathers and are among Australia's best-known native birds.

Taxonomy and systematics

The classification of lyrebirds was the subject of much debate after the first specimens reached European scientists after 1798. The superb lyrebird was first illustrated and described scientifically as Menura superba by Major-General Thomas Davies in 1800 to the Linnean Society of London. He based his work on specimens sent from New South Wales to England.

Lyrebirds were thought to be Galliformes like the broadly similar looking partridge, junglefowl, and pheasants that Europeans were familiar with, and this was reflected in the early names the superb lyrebird had, including native pheasant. They were also called peacock-wrens and Australian birds-of-paradise. The idea that they were related to the pheasants was abandoned when the first chicks, which are altricial, were described. They were not placed with the passerines until a paper was published in 1840, 12 years after they were first placed in their own family, Menuridae. Within that family they are placed in a single genus, Menura.

LyreBird (Tales of Helpmann)

LyreBird (Tales of Helpmann) is a play by Tyler Coppin about the life and career of Australian dancer, actor, director and choreographer Sir Robert Helpmann. The one-man play premiered at the 1998 Adelaide Festival of Arts before touring Australia and to New Zealand. LyreBird Tales of Helpmann has been performed at the Sydney Opera House (Sydney Theatre Company), the City of London Festival, venues in the UK, and the 1999 and 2001 Edinburgh Festival. In 2007 the show played at the State Theatre Company of South Australia (Adelaide), and in 2008 performed at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, HotHouse Theatre (Albury Wodonga), and at venues throughout southern Australia. LyreBird played at the 24th Street Theatre in Sacramento, California, 5 to 22 February 2009.

Awards

1999 Edinburgh Fringe First Award

Official Site