Fooling the experts: accurate vocal mimicry in the song of the superb lyrebird, Menura novaehollandiae

► We measured the accuracy of male lyrebird imitations of another species' song. ► Mimicry was so accurate that even the imitated species rarely picked copies. ► Acoustic analysis showed that imitations were almost indistinguishable from models. ► Despite copy accuracy, lyrebirds abridged songs by reducing repetition of notes. ► We suggest highly discriminating lyrebirds select for accurate mimicry.