Lyrebird

Lyrebird is an Australian Bird known for its ability to mimic artificial and natural sounds from the environment. In the past, UPSC has surprised IAS Exam candidates by putting questions on different species.

Let’s have a look at a few of the previous year questions asked about species in UPSC Prelims:

2020

(Q1) With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements:

1. The leader of an elephant group is a female
2. The maximum gestation period can be 22 months
3. An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only
4. Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 4 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 3 and 4 only

(Q2) With reference to India’s biodiversity, Ceylon Frogmouth, Coppersmith Barbet, Gray Chinned Minivet and White-throated Redstart are

(a) Birds

(b) Primates

(c) Reptiles

(d) Amphibians

2019

(Q1) Consider the following statements:

1. Asiatic lion is naturally found in India only
2. Double-humped camel is naturally found in India only
3. One-horned rhinoceros is naturally found in India only

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

(Q2) Consider the following statements:

1. Some species of turtles are herbivores
2. Some species of fish are herbivores.
3. Some species of marine mammals are herbivores
4. Some species of snakes are viviparous

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2, 3 and 4 only

(c) 2 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Candidates can check similar questions in the compilation of UPSC Prelims Environment & Ecology Questions provided in the linked article.

This brings us back to the topic, ‘Lyrebird’ which also was recently covered in the magazine, ‘Science Reporter’ of the National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR).

Must-Know Facts about Lyrebird for UPSC

1. It belongs to the family, ‘Menuridae’ and Genus, ‘Menura.’
2. These birds are Australia’s best known native birds.
3. The two surviving species of Lyrebird are:
   • Superb Lyrebird – World’s one of the largest songbirds and larger than the second species.
     

     Source – Australian Museum

   • Albert’s Lyrebird – Named after Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert.
     

     Source – Ebird.org

4. They belong to the list of perching birds which are also called passerines.
5. They are the third-largest passerine birds only after thick-billed raven and common raven.
6. They are known to be poor fliers.
7. Female lyrebirds are smaller than their male counterparts.
8. While the superb lyrebird is found in rainforests of Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, and a few national parks in Australia; Albert Lyrebird is only found in the Southern Queensland rainforest.
9. They are also known for their shyness.
10. They live long usually for thirty years and their breeding starts later than other passerines.
11. A female superb lyrebird would breed when she is five to six years old while the maile lyrebird would start breeding when they are between six to ten years old.
12. Male lyrebirds mark their territory which houses around seven to eight female lyrebirds.
13. The male lyrebirds fan out their tail in courtship display.
14. According to Birdlife International, Superb Lyrebird and Albert Lyrebird are under the category, ‘Least Concerned.’

Read about some other species mentioned below:

Mimicry of Lyrebirds

Lyrebirds are known for their mimicking ability. It is known that these birds sing all along the year but they sing with intensity during their peak breeding season which is between June and August.

• At their peak of the breeding season, these birds are known to sing for around four hours.
• Syrinx is the vocal organ of birds, and lyrebirds’ syrinx among all other passerines is complexly muscled.
• These birds sing their unique songs mixed with artificial or natural sounds they pick along. They are known to mimic other animals like Koala.

Note: Topics like Lyrebirds can also be asked in GK or Static GK segments of various government examinations.

To cover important topics of the UPSC Syllabus, candidates must go through the following links: