Tawny Frogmouth
Podargus strigoides

The Tawny Frogmouth is a much-loved Australian bird that is mainly nocturnal and has excellent camouflage. They are often mistaken for owls, but are related to the nightjars. They sit very still, trying to look like a piece of wood, before swooping on their prey, which can include rodents. They are quite approachable, although not tame. The first five are adults, with the fifth being a bird roosting during the day, and the last is a juvenile, which has brown eyes. The Tawny Frogmouth is the most widespread of the three species of frogmouth found in Australia - the Marbled Frogmouth is restricted to an area around Brisbane and the far north of Queensland while the Papuan Frogmouth is found in northern Queensland. 34-52 cm.
 

 

 

 

1-4: Mitchell Park, NSW, 05/06/2010.
5: Monash University, Vic. 03/06/2011.
6: Gloucester Tops, 18/09/2010.