lyrebird

noun

lyre·​bird ˈlī(-ə)r-ˌbərd 

: either of two Australian passerine birds (genus Menura) distinguished in the male by very long tail feathers displayed in the shape of a lyre during courtship

Illustration of lyrebird

Examples of lyrebird in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The syrinx, which is unique to birds, produces the sounds that parrots, corvids, lyrebirds and mynahs use to mimic sounds. — Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 14 Feb. 2026

Since then, Australia’s population of lyrebirds has recovered and stabilized. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025

What makes the lyrebird especially compelling is that its beauty isn’t just visual. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025

Future studies may also explore whether other highly skilled vocal mimics, such as lyrebirds, share similar neural structures, offering further clues into the evolution of speech. — Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2025

The mating call of the male Albert’s lyrebird was differentiated into loud gronking and rhythmic gronking, and it was posited that the males’ shaking of stick piles or vine tangles may trick females into thinking predators are nearby. — Emily Harnett, Harper's Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024

For example, the start of winter in her local area in northern New South Wales is indicated by male lyrebirds singing. — Aarti Betigeri, Time, 14 Jan. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lyrebird

• afterword
• firebird
• hummingbird
• ladybird
• mockingbird
• overheard
• thunderbird
• undergird
• undeterred
• absurd
• averred
• bluebird

Kids Definition

lyrebird

noun

lyre·​bird -ˌbərd 

: either of two Australian birds of which the males have very long tail feathers displayed during courtship in the shape of a lyre