Tawny Frogmouth Podargus strigoides
Frogmouths are native to Australasia; the Tawny Frogmouth from Australia. They are nocturnal predators but, despite
the similarity of their plumage to owls they are more related to nightjars.
Above left: pair of Tawny Frogmouths - male and female are similar.
Above right: mother and young Tawny Frogmouth chick
When their wide mouths are open they can look similar to mouths of frogs.
Like owls, they feed on small rodents, reptiles and insects but they catch them in their large mouths rather than with their feet/talons
(so are not classed as birds of prey).
Frogmouth and chick.
Not talking to each other.
The cryptic, "nightjar" plumage.
The frog mouth.
Frog gape.
The cryptic plumage blends to make them look part of the tree.