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Ceylon Frogmouth

Batrachostomus moniliger

Description:

Is a small frogmouth found in the Western Ghats of south India and Sri Lanka. Related to the nightjars, they are nocturnal and are found in forest habitats.

Habitat:

This species is found in the Western Ghats of southwest India and Sri Lanka. Its habitat is dense tropical forest usually with dense undergrowth but sometimes found in more disturbed habitats including plantations. Their presence can be overlooked due to their nocturnal behaviour and camouflage.

Notes:

The one in the first photograph is a male which is much smaller than the female in the second photograph...

No species ID suggestions

15 Comments

Sachin Zaveri
Sachin Zaveri a year ago

Amazing bird, Well captured,

AnjaliAnantharam
AnjaliAnantharam a year ago

Vipin.. I shld be really thankful for the guide who helped us spot this beautiful bird... :)

vipin.baliga
vipin.baliga a year ago

Wow..!!!
My fav bird... Very well spotted and photographed.. :-)

AnjaliAnantharam
AnjaliAnantharam a year ago

Thanks, Satyen..

SatyenM
SatyenM a year ago

Great spotting and information. Thanks.

chimetsetan
chimetsetan a year ago

that is a really sad situation. But i do hope it has some chances of survival in the protected areas.
Slow breeders are in peril everywhere. :(

AnjaliAnantharam
AnjaliAnantharam a year ago

@VivBraznell : It is very, very difficult to spot them untill one has a very keen eye to spot and know where to spot them...Hardly seen during the day (except at the roosting site), they breed between January and March. Sightings of these birds is highly difficult due to its ability to camouflage. The call of the bird is also rare and can be heard only during courtship. During breeding, the birds build a nest - a pad made of moss, lichen and bark.

AnjaliAnantharam
AnjaliAnantharam a year ago

@ ctsetan : This species has been reported from different parts of karnataka which was not known before, they are slow-breeding birds -- it only lays one egg twice a year may be its the result of habitat destruction due to largescale felling in plantations and forests. this bird is highly sensitive and prefers evergreen patches. Secondly, being an insectivore, it prefers to avoid plantations with a lot of pesticide and insecticide. Consuming any insect in such plantation would be fatal to this species.

Atul
Atul a year ago

lovely waiting for the updates!!

AnjaliAnantharam
AnjaliAnantharam a year ago

Thanks, everyone... @ Atul ..It had been on my list for a long time now was lucky to spot them in my recent trip last weekend..Will be posting the female frogmoth's photograph seperately...

VivBraznell
VivBraznell a year ago

Incredible! If the eyes were closed it could easily be mistaken for a piece of wood/part of a branch. Great shot!

chimetsetan
chimetsetan a year ago

Nice spotting anjali, i saw this bird in DeccanHerald recently. Seems like this is endangered.. is it ???

Stian Waaler
Stian Waaler a year ago

Amazing bird!

Atul
Atul a year ago

lovely never seen one of these before !!
its on my wish list ,thanks for sharing such lovely spottings.

GeetaPande
GeetaPande a year ago

Very cute bird !!!!!

Kerala, India

Lat: 10.78, Long: 76.66

Spotted on Dec 5, 2011
Submitted on Dec 5, 2011

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