Birds are well known for their beautiful songs and calls. However, some birds have developed an even more impressive talent – mimicry. Mimicry is when a bird can imitate sounds from their environment, including other birds, animals, and even man-made objects. But which bird is the best mimic?
The Lyrebird
The lyrebird is widely considered to be the king of avian mimics. There are two species of lyrebird – the superb lyrebird and the Albert’s lyrebird. Both species are found in the forests of Australia. Of the two, the superb lyrebird is the more accomplished mimic.
The superb lyrebird has an incredibly complex syrinx – the vocal organ of birds. This allows it to recreate a vast range of sounds with impressive accuracy. Astonishingly, a male superb lyrebird can mimic at least 20 different species of native birds, as well as koalas, dingos, possums and even chainsaws!
Researchers have recorded lyrebirds imitating camera shutters, car alarms, and even the human voice. Not only can they mimic sounds, but they can sing several songs simultaneously. The superb lyrebird truly is a vocal genius.
The Northern Mockingbird
The northern mockingbird is a highly skilled mimic native to North and Central America. It gets its name from its ability to mimic, or ‘mock’, the songs of other birds. A single mockingbird can mimic around 30-40 different species.
Some of the birds commonly copied by the mockingbird include blue jays, wood thrushes, bobwhites, cardinals, and hawks. As well as bird calls, they have been known to copy frog croaks, dog barks and even mechanical sounds. While not as diverse as the lyrebird, the mockingbird deserves credit for mastering so many different imitations.
The Indian Hill Myna
The Indian hill myna is an intelligent and social bird that inhabits parts of southern Asia. They are highly adept at mimicry and commonly learn to imitate human speech. Their natural calls are very musical, but they can reproduce a huge variety of other sounds.
When kept as pets, mynas quickly pick up words and phrases from their owners. Even in the wild, they are observant birds that pick up snippets of human speech. They are also talented mimics of other birds, particularly vocal species like the peacock, parakeet, and jungle babbler.
Other Impressive Mimics
While the lyrebird, mockingbird and myna are considered the bird world’s top mimics, many other species exhibit this skill to varying degrees:
- Starlings – Can mimic telephone rings, bird calls and human speech
- Crows – Have been observed copying sounds like flushing toilets, squeaking gates and crying babies
- Parrots – Especially skilled at mimicking human speech and household sounds like doorbells
- Owls – The barred owl can perfectly mimic a range of species, including other owls
- Thrush – Able to expertly copy and mix other birds’ songs in its own melodies
Check out this table comparing the mimicry skills of some of the birds mentioned:
Bird | Number of sounds mimicked | Types of sounds |
---|---|---|
Lyrebird | 20+ species of birds, plus mammals, mechanical sounds | Native bird calls, chainsaws, car alarms, camera shutters |
Mockingbird | 30-40 species | Other bird calls, frog croaks, dog barks, mechanical sounds |
Myna | 10-15 species | Bird calls, human speech, household noises |
Why Do Birds Mimic?
Mimicry serves different functions depending on the species. Some key reasons why birds mimic include:
- Attracting mates – Male lyrebirds incorporate mimicked sounds into elaborate courtship displays to impress females.
- Defending territory – Mockingbirds mimic hawks or other predators to fend off rivals from their turf.
- Avoiding predation – Species like the drongo can mimic alarm calls to scare other birds away from food sources.
- Social bonding – Many mimics are social birds that learn sounds to strengthen their family and flock bonds.
- Intelligence – Mimicry shows off a bird’s advanced brainpower and ability to learn new vocalizations.
How Do Birds Mimic So Well?
Birds have excellent vocal control thanks to specialized physical traits:
- Syrinx – The two-part vocal organ that enables complex sound production.
- Vocal muscles – Fine muscles around the syrinx that allow intricate manipulation of sound.
- Vocal learning – Young birds develop mimicry by listening to other sounds and practicing them.
- Brainpower – Parrots and songbirds have high brain-to-body ratios that support imitation skills.
However, even with the right physical tools, mimicry requires advanced cognitive abilities. Birds that mimic must accurately perceive sounds, memorize them, and then carefully practice reproducing them. This complex process involves auditory feedback and high levels of vocal coordination.
Conclusion
Many birds have some capacity for mimicry, but three groups stand out as masters of imitation – the lyrebirds, mockingbirds, and mynas. The superb lyrebird is arguably the most accomplished, with its unrivaled ability to recreate intricate bird songs, mammal calls, and artificial sounds.
However, the northern mockingbird and hill myna also possess impressive mimicry skills. All three birds demonstrate the vocal talent, social intelligence and brainpower that make mimicry possible. Their ability to vocally copy their environments highlights the surprising sophistication of the avian mind.