Lyrebirds vs. Cameras

6/6/2015

Superb lyrebirds (Menura novaehollandiae) are famous for mimicking the calls of other species, as well as chainsaws, car alarms and camera shutters.

Kate has recently discovered they also have a proclivity for attacking the cameras she’s using to study how fire edges influence animal distribution, abundance and movement in the Central Highlands.

She’s put together a video depicting a feisty encounter between a camera and a particularly determined individual.

The video contains prolonged scenes of strong violence and coarse language.

Watch at your peril.

3 Comments

Holly

13/6/2015 07:15:00 am

Mr Lyrebird deserves his own franchise.

Pete C

15/6/2015 08:22:02 am

I am going to send a link of this to birdy people who love a bird with attitude and this has got a lot to spare. Fantastic stamina from both the bird and the analyser. Did the camera survive to fight another day?

Kate

16/6/2015 03:41:51 am

Mr Lyrebird certainly does have plenty of attitude (and dedication) to spare.

This was one of about nine cameras that were opened by lyrebirds through out the study, all have (thankfully!) survived to venture out for their next campaign, however we may need to start designing a technique to "lyrebird-proof" the cameras in future.

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