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WATCH TRAILER
HOST A SCREENING

  • Host - Madame Lark

  • Humans see themselves as part of the forest’s mimicry.

  • Q&A time, #echothecall

  • The forest is listening. What new song will you add?

  • The female nesting scene

  • Australian actress, Helen Morse and actor, Paul English.

  • Producer Mark Pearce with another family of lyrebirds - Actress Sophia Dunn, Actor Ditch Davey, and their son Taika.

  • Victor Dream Holder - Motion GFX Artist.

  • The forest remembers. Will you?

  • Stuart Inchley with Toto the Lyrebird

  • Dalys Mithen, director The Lyrebirds Community Choir

  • What the duck? Tik Tok fashion icon Melanie Dale bombs the green carpet.

  • That green carpet smile.

  • Actor, Ditch Davey and director, Mark Pearce as he reunites with Sophia Dunn (off-screen). Tim Dale in the background.

  • What you echo becomes new song. Todd Anthony (centre) and Sai-Wai Foo (Right) Melbourne Fashion Festival.

  • Lara Shannon (Host, Pooches at Play) and Natasha Weber (Australia's leading media Astrologist, Best-selling Author).

  • Happy forest dwellers from team Wilderness Society (Conservation Movie Impact Partner).

  • The song never ends, it repeats in the forest. Impact Partners from the Wilderness Society.

  • Lyrebirds are go! Performer, Joti Gore and partner.

  • Rockin’ wolves: Peter Haren and partner (Peter Haren & The Wolves).

  • Matthew Doyle, composer and lyrebird dance performer.

  • Composer and Lyrebird dance performer, Matthew Doyle with Jodie Stephenson from Kirribilli Partners (Community Impact Partner).

  • AusNet representatives, environment manager Frances Zrimsek and environmental engineer Chelsea Rabl

  • Happy lyrebirds reunite. Actress, Sophia Davey and film producer Mark Pearce.

  • Lyrebird love. Executive producer, Louisa Dent Pearce, and director/producer Mark Pearce.

  • Madame Lark, leading a leck of male lyrebirds.

  • Madame Lark playing the musical saw and whistling through a repertoire of bird calls at the same time.

  • Peter George, AFI award-winning producer/Head of Film & TV, JMC Academy presents the cast and crew Q&A after the screening.

  • Madame Lark welcomes the guests.

  • Auntie Annette Xiberras, Wurundjeri Elder.

  • Audience activation. A human who listens to the lyrebird cannot un-hear it.

  • The film refuses to let humans see forests as “mute.”

  • And the winner is… Katie McQuade!

  • A call to responsibility.

  • What we do is sung back to us. Glamorazzi representatives, Roslyn Foo and Mehak Anand.

  • The Lyrebirds Community Choir flash mob the ACMI cinema!

  • Birds of a feather flock together.

  • Toto gifts his spell of remembrance to writer, Annie O’Hanlon.

  • Actress/singer, Cindy Pritchard and film producer Niika Daria ('What about Sal?’).

  • Ray Besserdin with his hand-made paper sculpture ‘Tranquility’. For Sale. Ray is donating 30% of purchase in-kind to the Wilderness Society.

  • Tranquility is sculptured from cotton NOT, cotton hot-pressed mould made papers, and a variety of handmade Hemp, Flax and Mulberry papers.


  • Can mimicry be medicine for humans, too?

  • Kirribilli Partners - Jodie Stephenson,

  • Martin Stringer (Right)

  • St Kilda artists

  • Sharon and David Major

  • The lyrebird is living archive—a shaman of sound.

  • What you do echoes.

  • Actress/singer, Cindy Pritchard with film producer, Niika Daria.

  • The forest - where all voices are reflected..

  • The film is a reminder that the forest is listening.

  • A timeless echo of many voices.

  • The science, mimicry mechanics, citizen science pathways—practical action.

  • Can our voices become one chord?

  • Sound recordist, Elliott Klein with his partner.

  • The beauty of the soundscapes, the lyrebird’s haunting mimicry - protective instinct activated.

  • If you want a messenger, echo many voices.

  • Sam Szoke-Burke inspires guests with the landmark court win case (Sept 2025), where the Australian Environment Minister lost a legal battle against the Wilderness Society and conceded that mandatory recovery plans for multiple threatened species were not completed.

  • Director of Photography/EP Nick Hayward with cast member ecologist, Dr Alex Maisey.

  • Michelle McFarlane, official green carpet premiere photographer.

  • The Lyrebirds Community Choir members

  • To destroy the forest is to destroy a voice that remembers us.

  • Lyrebird embodies the truth that nothing spoken into the forest is lost.


  • To mimic well is to listen so fully that nothing is lost.


  • Sam Venning and Michael Wilkie (MAD PR)

  • The song never ends, it repeats in the forest.

  • New List Item

  • Dalys and community choir member.

  • Toto with friendly forest dwellers.

  • Victor and the ladybirds.

  • Victor and his forest friends.

  • Melanie Dale, Tik Tok fashion darling.

  • Post production supervisor, Miles Bennett.

  • Toto ready to volplane.

  • Madame Lark pecking Toto.

  • Director, Mark Pearce flying away in his lyrebird poncho.

  • "The Message of the Lyrebird is not just a film. It is a warning that sings."

    Mehak Anand, Glamorazzi

  • "It was magic - the kind that gently pulls you back to the things that first made you curious about the world... It truly felt like being on a school excursion again, only this time with a deeper understanding of how connected everything really is."

    Melanie Dale, Lets Get Layered

  • “A powerful night on the green carpet…"

    AusNet

  • "A delight for those who love nature, bird nerds and those who want to understand the Lyrebird's magic."

    Sai-Wai Foo - Melbourne Fashion Festival

  • "The film and its thought-provoking message was received with wonder and appreciation. A special sense of esteem for what we had just witnessed drew us to stay quietly watching to the last credit, and then we applauded."

    Cathedral Landcare Group

  • “It was wonderful. A successful fundraiser."

    Barung Landcare

  • “Such a profound, precious and incredibly beautiful work that is ‘The Message of the Lyrebird'. It was so wonderful to see it for the first time, and to learn so much. To laugh, cry and feel hopeful. And wonder at the beauty and genius and pertinent importance of this rare animal. What a gift xx The theatre was packed! It touched so many people."

    Briega Young - Audience member

  • "This exquisite portrayal offers a captivating window into the harmonious melodies of nature, encapsulated in timeless elegance."

    Earth Heroes Inc.

  • “A real crowd pleaser."

    Bush Heritage Australia

  • "Absolutely captivating."

    Great Forest National Park Initiative

  • “The film is marvellous. Extraordinary!"

    Friends of Leadbeater’s Possum

  • “Exemplifies the kind of grassroots study and care required of all of us who aspire to the title ‘environmentally conscious’."

    Texas Screen Scene Magazine

  • “It was so moving."

    RRR FM

  • “Brilliant movie."

    Tom McPhee – Executive Director, World Animal Awareness Society

  • "One of this year’s top 6 highlights at the Green Film Festival of San Francisco."

    San Francisco Chronicle

  • “We quickly recognised this film as an excellent opportunity to engage a broader range of environmentally-minded people in our community. The evening was a great success.

    Tweed Landcare

  • “A really cool film."

    Chris Metzler – Emmy Award Nominee film director

  • “Absolutely amazing."

    Peter Krausz – Movie Metropolis WYN-FM, Former Chair of Australian Film Critics Association.

  • “Amazing story."

    BirdLife Shoalhaven

  • “A beautiful film."

    St. John’s Catholic Church – Mitcham, Victoria

  • "A truly profound film best seen (and heard) on the big screen."

    Peter George – AFI award-winning producer, Head of Film & Television JMC Academy

  • “A wonderful film."

    Christopher J. Gervais – Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society

  • "Stunning and heart-warming."

    Progessive Cinema

  • “Fantastic film."

    Stop Adani, Tweed Coast

  • “A beautiful job of weaving for us a tale of the lives of lyrebirds, their importance to the forests and their unfortunate fate at the hands of humans."

    The Regent Cinema – Murwillumbah, New South Wales

  • “Delightful."

    Friends of Upper Nicholson Catchment

  • “Super inspiring."

    Goongerah Environment Centre Office [GECO]

  • “World class."

    Sherbrooke Lyrebird Study Group

  • “What a wonderful night we had. So many positive comments from those who attended. It was a great community event."

    Upper Kangaroo Valley Landcare Group

  • “Completely mesmerising."

    Blue Mountains Conservation Society

  • “Amazing film offering a close-up experience with the elusive lyrebird."

    Upper Kangaroo Valley Landcare Group

  • “What an incredible night. 'The Message of the Lyrebird' not only entertained us but also challenged us to think critically about the world around us and our place within it. It's these meaningful conversations and reflections that remind us of the power of storytelling and the importance of coming together to explore diverse perspectives."

    Conscious Movie Nights

  • “We received great feedback on the film from our audience. We plan to do another screening in the future."

    Wilderness Society

  • “Loved it!"

    Woodlands & Wetlands

  • “This is an incredible film. Blew my mind."

    Shannon Greenfields – Audience member

  • “So good for the soul.”

    Bea Bleile – Audience member

  • “A very special film promoting an Australian icon and the importance of our temperate rainforests and all species throughout its range."

    Kevin Mason AO – Former Lyrebird Keeper, Healesville Sanctuary

  • “The footage of lyrebirds in the wild was especially fantastic."

    Dr Jacqueline Nguyen – Australian Research Council, DECRA Fellow and Scientific Officer, Ornithology, Terrestrial Vertebrates

  • “This documentary made me fall in love with the lyrebird. It was amazing!"

    Kathy Whines – Audience member

  • “It was magnificent! The whole film is so beautifully done and has such an urgent message."

    Libby Eyre – Audience member

  • "This film not only stirs the soul but also leaves an indelible mark, reminding us of the profound harmony that exists between all living beings. A true cinematic gem that resonates long after the credits roll."

    Shay Ryan Douglas – Creative Director, Earth Heroes Inc.

  • “This film has given us a much greater understanding of these fascinating creatures."

    Felicitie Ross – Audience member

  • “Thought-provoking film and humerous. A lovely story that everyone should know about."

    Jennifer Hoogland – Audience member

  • “Captures the beauty and magic of lyrebirds. Loved it from beginning to end!"

    Stephen Powell – Wildlife photographer

  • “It was so fascinating I watched it twice. Recommended!"

    Evelyn Parnassus – Audience member

  • “I was blown away with the entire experience."

    Ron Nutt – Audience member

  • “Increases the knowledge of us humans who have the capacity to impact all other flora and fauna for good or for ill. The more knowledge we have, the more we just might shift the balance to doing good."

    Rev Leigh Gardiner – Springwood Uniting Church, New South Wales

  • “So beautiful and informative."

    Frances Bodkin (Aunty Fran) – Descendant of the Bidigal clan of the D’harawal Peoples

  • "An astonishing achievement... deft storytelling, and in my view, a critically important work.”

    Dr Anastasia Dalziell – Behavioural ecologist

  • "The lyrebird is the forest's ultimate activist using military grade due diligence and the most gentlest regenerative principles of sustainability to continue its culture within the eco system. Watch the film."

    Matthew Hadfield – Audienc member

  • "A must watch. Exquisitely filmed and perfecty illustrates what is at stake with the destruction of our forests. I can't speak highly enough of it."

    Liana Paul – Audience member

  • "I really enjoyed watching 'The Message of the Lyrebird' film. Such skilful cinematography, educating the audience about the amazing Lyrebird and its habitat and behaviours. I feel very fortunate to have won the book. I've been enjoying reading it and plan on sharing the content with family and friends and colleagues."

    Niomi - Audience member

  • "An incredible film about the Lyrebird, its welfare and its amazing ability to mimic other bird calls… and perhaps other sounds in the environment."

    Jane Rusden Convener / Castlemaine District Birdlife Branch

  • “The film is a marvellous tribute to a marvellous bird and so many thoughtful messages are conveyed."

    Wollombi Valley Arts Centre

  • "The screening was wonderful, such a beautiful story and so well documented. It was a real treat to see."

    Ellie Peterson, Sales Manager – Treeview Estates

About
This award-winning Australian documentary film explores the mimicry abilities of lyrebirds, including the possible impact of human encroachment on their songs.

Come on a journey deep into the native forests of Australia, where a scientist, a study group, a lyrebird sound recordist, a lyrebird keeper, an activist, and a Knowledge Holder descended from the People of the Lyrebird help us understand not only the lyrebird’s sophisticated artwork, but what its message may be for humanity.

Protect and Take Action

Characters of the film…

The Superb Lyrebird

A bird who holds the stories of our landscapes. Speaker of all languages, the sonic shaman invites potential mates to his dancing mound so that lyrebird life may continue its culture within the ecosystem. However, the iconic Australian songbird has had over 40% of its native habitat destroyed during the 2019/2020 bushfire season. In addition, many other old-growth forest homes are being impacted through habitat destruction. The story sets out to understand the possible impact of human encroachment on their songs. And if so, how and why lyrebird’s natural behaviour undergoes change.

The Cinematographer

Nick Hayward is an award-winning natural history cinematographer and it all started with filming lyrebirds. Ever since filming the infamous ‘chainsaw mimicking lyrebird’ for the BBC series “Life of Birds”, Nick has held concerns about the bird’s true, natural behaviour. Thus, he sets out to film a lyrebird imitating sounds of human origin; something never-before captured on film in the wild. Along the way, Nick films spectacular footage of the bird’s behaviour in the wild valleys and mountains of their homes. These homes still exist – but if lyrebirds pick up human sounds from their environment, are they singing a story of human encroachment?

The Scientist

Behavioural Ecologist, Dr Anastasia Dalziell investigates the ecology of vocal mimicry in the Superb Lyrebird for her PhD research at the Australian National University, where she has recorded over 3,000 hours of lyrebird imitations, including up to 90 different song-types of the Grey Shrike-thrush. Using her scientific skills as well as the adept knowledge of musicology, Anastasia deciphers the ingenuity of lyrebird song and dance routines from many parts of the eastern Australian landscape, including birds in the Sherbrooke forest. However, there’s one song and dance display Anastasia has yet to interpret.

The Study Group

Ecologist, Dr Alex Maisey heads a line-up of citizen scientists from the Sherbrooke Lyrebird Study Group who’ve been observing and conserving the birds since 1958. Every winter season the members trek through the forest at dawn, conducting citizen science to locate and document the birds. Alex and the group set up spy-cameras on dancing mounds to gain insight into lyrebird mating, imitation, and many other strange behaviours. The group allow the audience insight into the many grassroots [and sometimes humorous] ways to study the lyrebird.

The Lyrebird Sound Recordist

Carol Probets is a self-employed birding guide, field naturalist, photographer, writer and lyrebird sound recordist. Carol’s love of music and birds led her to a research project, studying the mysterious population of lyrebirds who sing unusual and extraordinary flute-like songs in the icy mountains of the New England Plateau, 1,500 metres above sea level. Carol grapples with the origins of the sounds, which has become the bird’s territorial song covering more than 20,000 square kilometres.

The Lyrebird Keeper

After 50 years of continuous service at Healesville Sanctuary, including his duties as head keeper, Kevin Mason (OAM) has gained a strong bond with lyrebirds in captivity. He has also been fortunate enough to explore many ranges and national parks which are home to wild lyrebirds. His knowledge of birds learning sounds from their environment offers a legion of revelations about the lyrebird.

The Activist

Cam Walker has been involved in environmental and social justice activism at a grass-roots level in Australia for decades. During the early part of the 21st Century, ninety percent of a tree-lined mountain country where he had long interactions with individual lyrebirds, was ripped to a bare paddock; chained, cleared and destroyed for pulp. Cam revisits this habitat and his memory of the local lyrebird calls – the soundtrack to life on the mountain. His high and invaluable perspective from the top of Mt Toorongo illustrates the profound importance to reconnect with wildlife, our old-growth forests, the landscapes and indeed ourselves.

The Knowledge-Holder

Frances Bodkin (Aunty Fran) is a descendant of the Bidigal clan of the D’harawal Peoples with ancestral and spiritual links to Wiritjiribin - the First Lyrebird. Frances understands that Original Australian Knowledges are also scientific and can be used to help us live on this land sustainably. This is depicted during the D’harawal Dreaming story: Yandel’ora which translates to “The Land of Peace Between Peoples”, where Wiritiribin yearns for integrity, reconciliation and salvation, and in doing so, is gifted a great ability from the Creator Spirit. Aunty Fran’s message asks us about who we are and what we can become.

Balangara Films
Mark B Pearce
M B Pearce, Nick Hayward, L D Pearce
Nick Hayward
M B Pearce
Miles Bennett
Michael Slater
Victor Dream Holder, Bernadette Trench-Thiedeman
Colin Offord, Matthew Doyle, Riley Lee

Production by
Producer, Director
Exec Producers
DOP
Editor
Post Supervisor
Sound Designer
Motion Graphic Artists
Composers

Impact Partners

The Book

A4 portrait. Hard cover with jacket. 178 pages + contents, references, acknowledgements, inside front and back spreads. 125+ professional photographs and copies of original artworks. Printed with vegetable based inks. Paper and cover boards are made from 90% or more recycled raw materials.

CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION
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PURCHASE BOOK

  • "The book is quite literally astounding. The producers have outdone anything currently published on pretty much any bird in the world, and it's so special that it's the lyrebird that is the focus - an absolute treasure."

    Lee Paqui, Photographer/Naturalist (Brisbane)

  • “The Message of the Lyrebird presents us with a warm, empathetic invitation into the bizarre, exciting and unexpectedly humorous world of lyrebirds."

    Dr Anastasia Dalziell, Behavioural Ecologist (Sydney)

  • "I have spent the morning on the deck reading the book from cover to cover. There’s so much I did not know about Lyrebirds. The images and information - all amazing. I just wanted to say a huge thank you to all involved. And thank you for the amazing wrapping, my book is in pristine condition."

    Lesley Cairns (Norfolk Island)

  • "In our modern age of spiritual confusion, the lyrebird stands as a symbol of sacred harmony – the speaker of all languages and the dancer of life. Lyrebird invites us to remember our place in the natural world, and inspires us to cultivate the peace and reverence necessary for humanity’s salvation. "

    Mark B Pearce, director producer

  • "I feel very fortunate to have won the book. I've been enjoying reading it and plan on sharing the content with family and friends and colleagues."

    Niomi - Audience book winner

Press

Featured
‘Lyrebird’ green carpet premiere review (Glamorazzi)
‘Lyrebird’ green carpet premiere review (Glamorazzi)

The Message of the Lyrebird is not just a film. It is a warning that sings.

Yandel’ora selected as Finalist at 20th MY HERO International Film Festival
Yandel’ora selected as Finalist at 20th MY HERO International Film Festival

'Yandel’ora’ is a D’harawal Dreaming story that illustrates why only the lyrebird can speak all languages and how the lyrebird became the interpreter and peacemaker.

An evening at the cinema
An evening at the cinema

How Tweed Landcare partnered with Balangara Films, The Regent Cinema Murwillumbah, Tweed Shire Council and local artists to deliver a great evening of talks and a Film that reached a new audience.

‘Lyrebird’ cast and crew QandA clips
‘Lyrebird’ cast and crew QandA clips

Q&A Master of Ceremonies: Peter George, AFI award-winning producer & Head of Film and Television, JMC Academy interviews cast members of The Message of the Lyrebird. Watch short clips during the Q&A, which include excerpts of the film.

Northern Rivers screenings: a great success
Northern Rivers screenings: a great success

Brunswick Valley Landcare hosted a full house event at Brunswick Picture House on Wednesday 15 November 2023, which began an amazing run of two screenings in two nights across the Northern Rivers…

Scientists call for Superb Lyrebird conservation status to be revised
Scientists call for Superb Lyrebird conservation status to be revised

Published in the top-ranked international ornithological journal, indicating the seriousness of these findings.

Edu-action screenings for Lyrebird film
Edu-action screenings for Lyrebird film

Never before has the lyrebird been showcased in education like this!

Lyrebirds on ABC North Coast radio
Lyrebirds on ABC North Coast radio

Listen to the 10 minute interview with Lyrebird director and producer, Mark Pearce, and project officer of Wildlife Protection in the Tweed Shire, Emily Clarke.

Honorary Awardee of Pigeon D’or Award for ‘Lyrebird’
Honorary Awardee of Pigeon D’or Award for ‘Lyrebird’

“It was Kolkata that first activated my feelings and consciousness around the theme of humans and animals existing with one another, which then birthed my first book, Dogs of India. Lyrebird re-visits this same theme I’ve been grappling with for over a decade. Synchronicity completes that circle….”

FUIFF AWARDS 2023 presents Best International Documentary on Animals to ‘Lyrebird’
FUIFF AWARDS 2023 presents Best International Documentary on Animals to ‘Lyrebird’

Filmmakers United International Film Festival (FUIFF) has presented Best International Documentary Film on Animal to The Message of the Lyrebird.