The Bird That Can Imitate a Chainsaw – Nature’s Ultimate Copycat

When we think of birds that mimic sounds, parrots are usually the first to come to mind. They can repeat words, mimic laughter, and even sing along to songs. But there’s another bird that takes mimicry to an entirely new level — the superstar of sound imitation in the animal kingdom: the lyrebird.

This bird doesn’t just copy other birds. It can imitate almost anything it hears — including chainsaws, car alarms, camera shutters, dog barks, construction tools, and even human voices. And it does all of this with near-perfect accuracy.

What Is a Lyrebird?

Lyrebirds are native to Australia, and they get their name from their magnificent tail feathers, which resemble the shape of an ancient Greek lyre. There are two species: the superb lyrebird and the Albert’s lyrebird, with the superb lyrebird being the better-known of the two.

They live in dense forests and rainforests, spending most of their time on the ground searching for insects and small invertebrates. But what really makes them stand out is their extraordinary vocal skill.

The Mimicry Master

The lyrebird’s ability to mimic is so advanced that it's often called “the best mimic in the world.” And this isn’t just a fun party trick — mimicry is part of how the bird survives, attracts mates, and interacts with its environment.

Male lyrebirds, in particular, perform complex songs during mating season to impress females. These songs include a mixture of original sounds and copied sounds from their surroundings. And here’s the mind-blowing part — a lyrebird can remember and replicate dozens of different sounds with incredible accuracy.

What Kind of Sounds Can It Copy?

Here are just some of the sounds lyrebirds have been recorded mimicking:

• Chainsaws
• Car engines
• Camera shutters
• Alarm clocks
• Mobile phone ringtones
• Fire alarms
• Dogs barking
• Babies crying

• Koalas grunting
• Other birds (cockatoos, kookaburras, etc.)

One famous video by David Attenborough even showed a lyrebird mimicking the sound of a camera shutter followed by the motor drive — a sound it likely learned from photographers in the forest. It didn’t just imitate the shutter — it did the beep, the click, and the film advance noise… perfectly.

But... Why Copy a Chainsaw?

You might be wondering — why would a bird imitate something as loud and scary as a chainsaw?

The answer is likely environmental exposure. As forests are increasingly invaded by human activity, lyrebirds begin to mimic the sounds they hear regularly. If a chainsaw is often used near their territory, the sound becomes part of their memory bank.

While it’s an impressive ability, it’s also a sad reflection of habitat loss. The bird’s natural songs are slowly being replaced with man-made noises — a musical record of how human presence is altering nature’s songbook.

How Do They Do It?

The lyrebird has an incredibly flexible syrinx, the vocal organ of birds. Think of it like a built-in musical instrument capable of producing multiple tones at once.

But physical ability alone isn’t enough — the lyrebird also has exceptional audio memory. It can listen to a complex sound and reproduce it not only in tone and pitch, but also in rhythm and duration. It’s like having a built-in sound recorder and mixer.

Not Just a Pretty Tail

While the male lyrebird is famous for his beautiful tail feathers that fan out during courtship displays, it’s his song that often seals the deal. A more creative and diverse sound performance attracts more females. It's like bird “The Voice” — the best vocalist wins.

And yes, their tails really do look like instruments. When spread, the feathers form a graceful arc, swaying as they sing their mix of forest sounds and digital chaos.

A Warning in Their Song

As impressive as the lyrebird is, its story carries a deeper message. The fact that some are mimicking human-made sounds like chainsaws and alarms isn’t just funny — it’s a warning.

These birds aren’t naturally born with these sounds. They’re recording the soundtrack of destruction — a memory of what their home now sounds like. The forest, once filled with wind, leaves, and birdsong, now echoes with machines and engines.

So when a lyrebird sings a chainsaw, it’s more than a performance. It’s a symbol.

Final Thought

The lyrebird shows us that nature listens, adapts, and speaks back — sometimes in the very sounds we introduce to its world. It’s a reminder of both the beauty of animal intelligence and the impact of human presence.

The next time you hear a camera click or a phone ring in the forest… it might not be yours. It could be a lyrebird, putting on the greatest concert you never knew you needed.