Albert's lyrebird, also known as Northern lyrebird, is a timid, pheasant-sized songbird which is endemic to subtropical rainforests of Australia, in a small area on the state border between New South Wales and Queensland. The rarer of the two species of lyrebirds, Albert's lyrebird is named after Prince Albert, the prince consort of Queen Victoria, queen of the United Kingdom. It lacks the elegant lyre-shaped tail feathers of the superb lyrebird and is found in a much more restricted range.
Region
Southeast Queensland and Northeast New South Wales
Typical Environment
This species inhabits dense, moist subtropical rainforests and wet sclerophyll fringes on the ranges straddling the Queensland–New South Wales border. It favors steep, ferny gullies and shaded slopes with deep leaf litter and abundant fallen logs. Fragmented forests are used if understory cover is intact, but continuous mature rainforest is preferred. Birds keep close to cover and seldom cross open areas, which limits dispersal between patches.
Altitude Range
200–1100 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Albert's lyrebird is famed for its extraordinary vocal mimicry, weaving imitations of many forest birds and ambient sounds into long, elaborate songs. Males perform on earthen display mounds and fan their long, filamented tails over their backs while singing. Unlike the superb lyrebird, it lacks a strongly lyre-shaped tail. Its very restricted range makes it sensitive to habitat loss, fire, and climate change.
Female, Mount Warning, New South Wales
O'Reilly's Lodge - Australia
Temperament
shy and secretive
Flight Pattern
reluctant flier with short rapid wingbeats; mostly terrestrial
Social Behavior
Generally solitary and highly territorial, especially males around their display mounds. Breeding is polygynous; males court multiple females but do not assist with nesting. Females build the nest and rear the single chick alone, placing the nest above ground on a stump, ledge, or vine tangle.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A powerful, extended performance combining rich whistles, clicks, and remarkable mimicry of other birds and forest sounds. Males deliver prolonged sequences at dawn and during display, often repeating phrases with great clarity.
