As Morton National Park is less visitied than the "classical" Blue Mountains area near Katoomba, it is possible to view more wildlife here. Shown above is a lyrebird, famous for its ability to imitate any sound, even motor saws or cellphone ring tones.

Lyrebirds are two species of ground-dwelling Australian birds, the Superb Lyrebird or Weringerong (Menura novaehollandiae) found in forests in Victoria, Tasmania (introduced) and New South Wales (the above). Females are up to 85cm long, and the males up to 98cm. The much rarer Albert's Lyrebird (Menura alberti) is slightly smaller at a maximum of 90 cm (male) and 84 cm (female) and is only found in a very small area of Southern Queensland rainforest.

Lyrebirds are among Australia's best-known native birds. As well as their extraordinary sound imitating ability, they 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.

 

Actually, the author now uses a lyrebird song as a cellphone ring tone. That means EVERY lyrebird now imitates this special cellphone ring tone....