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Description

Species Name: Tawny Frogmouth

Species Latin Name: Podargus strigoides

Native To: Australia

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Photo Taken At: N/A

Size (length): 34 - 53cm (13.4 - 20.9 inches)

Weight: 200 - 650g (7.1 - 22.9 oz)

Lifespan: 10 - 14 years

Wingspan: 65 - 98cm (25.6 - 38.6 inches)

Population Size: at least 10,000 mature adults

Diet: Carnivore

Lifestyle: Arboreal, ambush predator, altricial, oviparous, torpor

Mating Habits: Monogamy

Reproductive Season: August – September

Eggs Per Clutch: 1 – 3 eggs

Incubation Period: 28 – 32 days

Independent Age: 25 – 35 days

Description:

The Tawny Frogmouth is a large headed medium size nocturnal bird of prey. These birds have often been referred to as owls due to the similarities these birds have to owls in terms of behaviour and their appearance. Though most sources will state that this bird is a frogmouth and not an owl there are some studies that contest this, indicating that the Tawny Frogmouth is actually part of the owl family tree.

These birds stocky birds can become compact when needed, they have rounded wings and short brown legs. The colouration of their brown feathers are important for their camouflage, when resting during the day that these birds will stay as motionless as possible in trees whilst attempting to blend in with tree bark of the tree they are perched in. These birds have large yellow eyes as well as a wide dull grey bills that are hooked at the tip.

Diet:

As a nocturnal bird of prey this bird mostly feeds off nocturnal insects, worms, slugs, snails, small mammals, small reptiles, frogs and small birds. Most of the prey these birds hunt are taken when the Tawny Frogmouth pounces from their perch on a branch onto the ground. Sometimes these birds will snatch prey from the air such as moths.

Behaviour:

These birds communicate with a soft, deep and continuous low call that consists of 'oom oom oom.' These birds will have a regular breeding season between the months of August to December however, the couples that live in more arid areas will breed in response to heavy rains. Their nest will consist of a loose platform of sticks which is usually placed on a horizontal forked tree branch. The male will incubate the eggs during the day but both the male and the female will take turns hunting and incubating during the night. The mother will typically lay about 2-3 eggs per brood and will typically lay eggs once a year, couples located further south may raise two broods of eggs in a single year.

Further Reading (general information):

Wikipedia: Tawny frogmouth - Wikipedia

Birdlife: Tawny Frogmouth | BirdLife Australia

Animalia: Tawny Frogmouth - Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio

Australian Museum: Tawny Frogmouth - The Australian Museum

Seaworld Parks & Entertainment: Tawny Frogmouth Facts and Information | SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment

Bush Heritage: What is a Tawny Frogmouth? - Bush Heritage Australia

Description

Species Name: Tawny Frogmouth

Species Latin Name: Podargus strigoides

Native To: Australia

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Photo Taken At: N/A

Size (length): 34 - 53cm (13.4 - 20.9 inches)

Weight: 200 - 650g (7.1 - 22.9 oz)

Lifespan: 10 - 14 years

Wingspan: 65 - 98cm (25.6 - 38.6 inches)

Population Size: at least 10,000 mature adults

Diet: Carnivore

Lifestyle: Arboreal, ambush predator, altricial, oviparous, torpor

Mating Habits: Monogamy

Reproductive Season: August – September

Eggs Per Clutch: 1 – 3 eggs

Incubation Period: 28 – 32 days

Independent Age: 25 – 35 days

Description:

The Tawny Frogmouth is a large headed medium size nocturnal bird of prey. These birds have often been referred to as owls due to the similarities these birds have to owls in terms of behaviour and their appearance. Though most sources will state that this bird is a frogmouth and not an owl there are some studies that contest this, indicating that the Tawny Frogmouth is actually part of the owl family tree.

These birds stocky birds can become compact when needed, they have rounded wings and short brown legs. The colouration of their brown feathers are important for their camouflage, when resting during the day that these birds will stay as motionless as possible in trees whilst attempting to blend in with tree bark of the tree they are perched in. These birds have large yellow eyes as well as a wide dull grey bills that are hooked at the tip.

Diet:

As a nocturnal bird of prey this bird mostly feeds off nocturnal insects, worms, slugs, snails, small mammals, small reptiles, frogs and small birds. Most of the prey these birds hunt are taken when the Tawny Frogmouth pounces from their perch on a branch onto the ground. Sometimes these birds will snatch prey from the air such as moths.

Behaviour:

These birds communicate with a soft, deep and continuous low call that consists of 'oom oom oom.' These birds will have a regular breeding season between the months of August to December however, the couples that live in more arid areas will breed in response to heavy rains. Their nest will consist of a loose platform of sticks which is usually placed on a horizontal forked tree branch. The male will incubate the eggs during the day but both the male and the female will take turns hunting and incubating during the night. The mother will typically lay about 2-3 eggs per brood and will typically lay eggs once a year, couples located further south may raise two broods of eggs in a single year.

Further Reading (general information):

Wikipedia: Tawny frogmouth - Wikipedia

Birdlife: Tawny Frogmouth | BirdLife Australia

Animalia: Tawny Frogmouth - Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio

Australian Museum: Tawny Frogmouth - The Australian Museum

Seaworld Parks & Entertainment: Tawny Frogmouth Facts and Information | SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment

Bush Heritage: What is a Tawny Frogmouth? - Bush Heritage Australia