Watch a Bird Mimic a Star Wars Laser Gun Scene Perfectly

To be serenaded by a wild bird is an unforgettable experience. But a bird that knows how to mimic R2D2? It’s beyond mesmerizing! Watch the video at the bottom of the page to hear the accuracy of the lyrebird yourself.

What is a Lyrebird?

Lyrebirds are solitary songbirds with a rather plain appearance. They are brown and grey and typically have a wingspan between 27 and 31 inches. What’s most striking about their appearance are their tail feathers. Lyrebirds are carnivores that snack on frogs, small lizards, and invertebrates. They inhabit rainforests and bushland in Australia and Tasmania where their incredible vocals resound. But don’t let their loud vocals fool you. These birds have an elusive nature and aren’t the easiest to spot!

Why Do Lyrebirds Mimic Sounds?

Lyrebirds have a mesmerizing ability to mimic nearly any sound they hear. It’s one of the largest and loudest songbirds that possesses vocal talent unlike any other. This is due to its syrinx, which has developed beautifully and has been proven to be more complex than other perching birds. The primary reason why lyrebirds mimic sounds is related to courtship. The males get quite fancy and elaborate when courting a female, serenading them with their best songs in hopes of winning them over. Not only do the males sing to delight the females, but they also shake their feathers while they’re at it!

Lyrebird Perfectly Mimics Star Wars Scene!

When the video below starts, a lyrebird sits perched on a wooden log lining a dirt path. You get a sideways view at first, which allows you to appreciate its long tail feathers. It starts singing within a few seconds and captions on the screen inform you that “The lyrebird can copy any sound it hears.” Then, the lyrebird starts mimicking the sound of laser guns. The accuracy is unreal! As the lyrebird continues, the captions appear again, letting you know that sometimes, lyrebirds mimic other birds.

They trick them into believing that it’s one of them singing a familiar tune. Then, the lyrebird mimics a kookaburra, which is a bird that has a call that sounds like laughter. Then the lyrebird gets back to the Star Wars theme, mimicking R2D2. At one point, the lyrebird faces the camera, erects its tail feathers, and points its laser gun song straight at the person filming. Then, it laughs like the kookaburra, appearing just as delighted as you will be when you witness how remarkable this bird is.

Watch the Amazing Video Below!