Tawny frogmouth
Latin Name
Podargus strigoides
Class
Birds
Order
Caprimulgiformes
Description
Podargus strigoides
Class
Birds
Order
Caprimulgiformes
Description
Often mistaken for an owl, the tawny frogmouth is actually a member of the nightjar family. The bird is named for its large mouth, which it uses to catch insects and small animals. Both male and female tawny frogmouths have gray plumage with occasional black streaks.
Range
Status
Habitat
Niche
Life History
Special Adaptations
The tawny frogmouth can be found throughout Australia.
Status
Common. Lincoln Park Zoo participates in the Tawny Frogmouth Species Survival Plan®, a shared management effort by zoos throughout the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Habitat
The species makes its home in woodlands and forests.
Niche
A nocturnal bird, the tawny frogmouth uses its large eyes and excellent hearing to hunt. The bird's gray plumage blends in among the branches of its home, helping it avoid detection by predators during the day.
Life History
Tawny frogmouth breeding pairs typically return to the same nesting spot every year, expanding the platform of sticks that make up the nest. The female lays two-three eggs, and both parents participate in the incubation and care of their young.
Special Adaptations
The tawny frogmouth's gray feathers help it blend in with the bark of its forested home.
