From Opus

Menura novaehollandiae

Photo by Broc
Photo taken: Melbourne, Australia.

Identification

100cm. Brown upper body, greyish-brown below, rounded wings and strong legs. It is the longest and third heaviest of all songbirds. The male's tail has sixteen feathers, with the two outermost being lyre-shaped. It takes seven years for the tail to fully develop. During courtship display, the tail is fanned forward beyond his head to form a silvery white canopy.

Distribution

Southeastern Australia, from southern Victoria to southeastern Queensland.

Taxonomy

Habitat

Forests.

Behaviour

The female builds a domed nest and 1 egg is laid.

The diet includes small animals found on forest floor or from rotting logs.

External Links

• View more images of this species on the ABID