Tawny Frogmouth (species: Podargus strigoides) in Broadwater NP (Gaia Guide)
Broadwater NP > Animalia > Vertebrata > Aves > Caprimulgiformes > Podargus strigoides (gallery)
Podargus strigoides
Tawny Frogmouth


©Arthur Chapman: Female Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides) on left of a juvenile

©Michael Jefferies: Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides) in a Swamp Cypress by Quart Pot Creek

©Patrick_K59 on Flickr: Fledgling Tawny Frogmouths (Podargus strigoides)

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Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Caprimulgiformes
Family Podargidae
Genus Podargus
Species Podargus strigoides
Status least concern

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Colours

              

Distinguishing features

They have yellow eyes and a wide beak topped with a tuft of bristly feathers.

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, their plumage and posture makes them look just like part of the branch. (Wikipedia)

Size

  • From 35 cm to 53 cm (Length of specimen) - applies to Adults.  Females are typically smaller than males.

Weight

  • Up to 0.68 kg

Wingspan

  • Wingspan data is not yet available.

Synonyms

Similar taxa

Interesting facts

  • When feeling threatened, the Tawny Frogmouth stays perfectly still, with eyes almost shut and with bill pointed straight, relying on camouflage for protection. (Wikipedia)

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Distribution and habitat preferences

They are found throughout the Australian mainland, Tasmania and southern New Guinea.

Diet

Tawny Frogmouths which usually hunt smaller prey than owls. They typically wait for their prey to come to them, only rarely hunting on the wing like owls. (Wikipedia)

Web resources

References

  • Simpson, K., N. Day and P. Trusler (2004). Field Guide to Birds of Australia: 7th Edition Penguin Group (Australia), Camberwell, Victoria.