Superb Lyrebird Menura novaehollandiae Nesting in Sherbrooke Forest, 1974 to 1996

Abstract

The field reports of the Sherbrooke Lyrebird Survey Group were abstracted for details of Lyrebird nesting for the years 1974 to 1996. There were 107 nests brought to apparent completion, which were classified into those that were low (ground level to 1.5 m), intermediate (greater than 1.5 m and up to 4 m) and high (greater than 4 m). The analysis was confined principally to the low group where the nesting events could be followed most effectively. However, analysis of the success rate indicated that there was no statistical difference between the three groups. In the low group the success rate was 39 fledged chicks from 66 nests with eggs (59%). There was a hatching failure of 18/24 eggs in the low group. In 11 instances the egg was removed from the nest, in most cases by a predator, in four the egg was infertile or death in ovo occurred and in two cases the egg was abandoned. In the low group there were five cases of predation of the chick in the nest and one of predation of the parent.