General
Lyrebirds may mimic sound of ‘mobbing’ flock of birds to trick females into mating, study says
Are male lyrebirds lying to get the girl? It looks like they might be, say researchers.
Key points:
- Male lyrebirds are known to be clever mimics
- Now they have been recorded imitating, with “remarkable accuracy”, a flock of birds sounding a predator alarm
- Scientists think this false signal of danger is designed to scare females into mating with them
Lyrebirds are famous for their mimicry, but a new study suggests their calls aren’t always “honest” signals.
It found when a female lyrebird goes to leave a male who is trying to mate with her, he mimics the sound of a flock of birds sounding an alarm that a predator is nearby.
“When the female attempts to leave, we think the male is trying to say ‘baby, it’s dangerous outside. Stay here with me!'”…
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