Vocal Mimicry, and Conspecific Song and Calls, in Female Albert's Lyrebirds (Menura alberti)

The vocalisations of female songbirds are more complex, widespread, and functionally important than previously thought; yet information is still depauperate compared to that of males. Here we provide the first recordings and analysis of the vocal behaviour of female Albert's lyrebirds, a species in which males are known for elaborate song and dance displays involving vocal mimicry. We document one female Albert's lyrebird vocalising during nest construction and another vocalising at a nest containing a nestling and find that, like males, female Albert's lyrebirds produce vocal mimicry, conspecific song, and alarm calls. However, female repertoires are both distinct from those of the males and used during female-specific contexts. Our results highlight the potential complexity of vocalisations produced by female songbirds and add to a small but growing list of species in which females produce vocal mimicry.