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ANIMAL SPECIES:Tawny Frogmouth

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With their nocturnal habit and owl-like appearance, Tawny Frogmouths are often confused with owls, but are actually more closely related to the nightjars. Their feet are weak however, and lack the curved talons of owls.

Identification

The general plumage of the Tawny Frogmouth is silver-grey, slightly paler below, streaked and mottled with black and rufous. A second plumage phase also occurs, with birds being russet-red. The eye is yellow in both forms, and the wide, heavy bill is olive-grey to blackish. South-eastern birds are larger than birds from the north. Tawny Frogmouths are nocturnal birds (night birds). During the day, they perch on tree branches, often low down, camouflaged as part of the tree.

Size range

34 cm to 53 cm

Similar Species

Papuan Frogmouth, Marbled Frogmouth

Distribution

The Tawny Frogmouth is found throughout Australia, including Tasmania.

Habitat

The Tawny Frogmouth can be seen in almost any habitat type (except the denser rainforests and treeless deserts), including heath, forest and woodlands, urban and rural areas.

Behaviour and adaptations

Feeding and Diet

The bulk of the Tawny Frogmouth's diet is made up of nocturnal insects, worms, slugs and snails. Small mammals, reptiles, frogs and birds are also eaten. Most food is obtained by pouncing to the ground from a tree or other elevated perch. Some prey items, such as moths, are caught in flight, which has led to many unfortunate instances of birds being hit by cars while chasing insects illuminated in the beam of the headlights.

Other behaviours and adaptations

During the day, the Tawny Frogmouth perches on a tree branch, often low down, camouflaged as part of the tree.

Communication

A soft, deep and continuous low oom oom oom. Also makes a loud hissing noise when threatened.

Mating and reproduction

Tawny Frogmouths have a regular breeding season, but birds in more arid areas may breed in response to heavy rains. Both sexes incubate the eggs. The male sits during the day, but both sexes share sitting at night. The nest is a loose platform of sticks, which is usually placed on a horizontal forked tree branch. Normally only one brood is raised in a season, but birds from the south may have two.

Breeding Season: August to December.

Conservation Status

There are many unfortunate instances of Tawny Frogmouths being hit by cars while chasing insects illuminated in the beam of the headlights.

Classification

Species:
strigoides
Genus:
Podargus
Family:
Podargidae
Order:
Caprimulgiformes
Class:
Aves
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?


Ondine Evans , Web Researcher/Editor
Last Updated: 5 January 2010

3 comments

Ondine Evans STAFF

Ondine Evans
10.01 AM, 05 January 2010

Lovely pics, Ladymaggic, thankyou! We would love to be able to post these images on this page - contact me via my staff contact form (just click on my name to find it) if you would be willing to share them (you would retain full copyright and be fully acknowledged as the photographer, of course!).

Marguerite Carstairs

Ladymaggic
10.01 PM, 04 January 2010

Frogmouth camouflaged on the tree

Comment Attachment

Marguerite Carstairs

Ladymaggic
10.01 PM, 04 January 2010

Beautiful Birds...this is a Baby Frogmouth at Burrum Heads Queensland

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Tawny Frogmouth

Tawny Frogmouth View full size
Norm Chaffer © Australian Museum

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