Australia: Healesville Sanctuary
One of the bird species that deserves a special mention that can be seen at the Healesville Sanctuary is the Superb Lyrebird. This bird is actually endemic to southeastern Australia and is in fact the largest songbird in the world. David Attenborough called the lyrebird’s display and singing “the most elaborate, the most complex, and the most beautiful in the animal kingdom”. The lyrebirds are famous for their elaborate tail feathers up to 70 cm long, which resemble a lyre musical instrument, hence the name. More importantly, they are known for their impressive ability to mimic natural and artificial sounds, including chainsaws, camera shutters, and car alarms. Lyrebirds are ground dwellers and rarely fly, confined mostly to the rainforests of Victoria.
