The Superb Lyrebird can perfectly mimic chainsaws, camera shutters, and car alarms.

The Superb Lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae) is native to the rainforests of Victoria and New South Wales in Australia. Its incredible vocal ability comes from the syrinx, which is the vocal organ of birds. While most songbirds have four pairs of syringeal muscles, the lyrebird possesses only three, but they are uniquely organized for maximum flexibility and control.This anatomical specialization allows them to produce two sounds at once or mimic complex mechanical frequencies with startling accuracy. A famous 1998 BBC documentary narrated by Sir David Attenborough featured a lyrebird at the Adelaide Zoo named Chook. Chook became a global sensation for his perfect imitations of a motor-driven camera, a car alarm, and even the sounds of foresters using chainsaws nearby.Researchers from the Australian National University have noted that these birds don't just mimic for fun. Mimicry is a vital part of the male's complex mating display, which can last up to 20 minutes. By incorporating a wide variety of sounds, the male demonstrates his age, experience, and ability to learn, which are traits females look for when choosing a partner.Interestingly, lyrebirds in the wild have been known to pass down these 'human' sounds through generations. Even decades after a logging operation has left an area, young lyrebirds may still be heard mimicking the sounds of the machinery their ancestors once heard. This cultural transmission makes the lyrebird one of the most sophisticated acoustic learners in the animal kingdom.