Tawny Frogmouth

Often confused with owls, the nocturnal tawny frogmouth is closely related to night jars. It has a flat, wide beak like a frog’s mouth, hence its common name.  

When hunting, it relies on its huge beak to attack ground prey from a high perch or snatch moths in flight. Large food items like lizards and mice are bashed against a branch before eating.

The tawny frogmouth is a camouflage master. With crypticplumage resembling tree bark, it perches with its broad head angled upwards. There, it freezes to mimic a broken tree branch to perfection. 

Often, a pair does this `disappearing act’ together. They take flight only if approached too closely. Adults give off alarm calls to warn chicks to be quiet and still.