Tawny Frogmouth

Podargus strigoides

Description:

Males and females look alike and are 35–53 cm (14–21 in) long. This very bulky species can weigh up to 680 grams (1.5 lbs) and, in overweight zoo specimens, up to 1400 grams (3.1 lbs). This species thus reaches the highest weights known in the Caprimulgiformes order. They have yellow eyes and a wide beak topped with a tuft of bristly feathers. They make loud clacking sounds with their beaks and emit a reverberating booming call. Tawny Frogmouths hunt at night and spend the day roosting on a dead log or tree branch close to the tree trunk. Their camouflage is excellent — staying very still and upright, they look just like part of the branch.

Habitat:

This frogmouth lives around my backyard with it's mate & a juvenile. Mainly native rainforest type vegetation

Notes:

Spotted this guy sitting on my clothes line just outside the house after i heard a loud noise in the bush & went to investigate.

Species ID Suggestions

14 Comments

AliceGreenup 10 years ago

I know Kathleen! I'm so lucky! I live in a good area for wildlife and there's patches of rainforest not far from my door so that helps! I've also learnt to always investigate every loud noise I hear in the bush because chances are it'll be something great like this!

KathleenMcEachern 10 years ago

AliceGreenup, you always find such interesting things right outside your door! I guess that is because you are observant and also because you live in OZ!

AliceGreenup 10 years ago

Thanks Mona and noel!! They're definitely different looking!

Mona Pirih 10 years ago

Awesome freaky bird !! Beautiful..

Noel Buensuceso 10 years ago

Beautiful series, Alice!

AliceGreenup 10 years ago

Thanks neil! I love them too, they always seem so relaxed and friendly, except maybe when you see that stunned expression on their faces! This one has a mate and a juvenile that it was calling to. Ahaha thats a great one! Poorguy, would have kept things interesting at least!!

Neil Ross 10 years ago

Oh wow, beautiful spotting of one of my fave Aussie birds. Great photos, Alice. I've not had any in my yard this past summer. Usually have at least one nesting pair and lots of fuzzy chicks, but this year?... zippo. Two birds have been in the park across the road from my house. One each on opposite sides of the park, and they make their odd, raspy call. I told my wonderful and very good-natured Chinese lodger that they were Drop Bears, and they'll get him!!! LOL. "They don't like the taste of Aussies". We then went spot lighting for bush critters. He was so delighted to see his first frogmouths, but when he recognised the call, he chased me with a stick. My bad :-)