Home > Facts > Animal Facts > Tawny frogmouth Facts

Tawny frogmouth Facts

Tawny frogmouth Facts
Tawny frogmouth is a type of bird that belongs to the nighthawk family (even though it looks like an owl). There are 3 subspecies of tawny frogmouth that can be found in Australia, Tasmania and Papua New Guinea. Tawny frogmouth inhabits scrublands and open forests of eucalyptus and acacia. Major threats for the survival of tawny frogmouths are road accidents and pollution of the ground and water with pesticides. Despite these factors, tawny frogmouths are widespread and numerous in the wild (they are not on the list of endangered species).
Interesting Tawny frogmouth Facts:
Tawny frogmouth can reach 9 to 21 inches in length and 1.5 pounds of weight. Males are slightly larger than females.
Tawny frogmouth is covered with silvery-gray or brown plumage. It has dark streaks and bars on dorsal side of the body. Bottom parts of the body are paler. Color of the plumage is similar to the color of the bark on the trees (it ensures perfect camouflage).
Tawny frogmouth has large head, triangular-shaped, slightly hooked bill, large, yellow eyes, stocky body and short legs with weak feet.
Tawny frogmouth has frog-like mouth designed for capturing of small animals (such as insects), hence the name "frogmouth".
Tawny frogmouth has roundish, medium-sized wings, but it does not belong to the group of good fliers.
Tawny frogmouth is active during the night (nocturnal animal). It roosts in the trees during the day.
Tawny frogmouth is a carnivore (meat-eater). Its diet is based on fish, amphibians, small lizards, insects, worms, slugs and crustaceans.
When tawny frogmouth senses a danger, it erects the head, closes the eyes and freezes the body to create impression of a broken branch. Tawny frogmouth can easily trick its enemies thanks to the bark-like color of the plumage and unusual posture of the body.
Natural enemies of tawny frogmouths are cats, dogs and foxes.
Tawny frogmouths are monogamous birds (they mate for a lifetime). They live in pairs throughout the year. One pair stays on the same territory for many years. Tawny frogmouths communicate via low, grunting calls. They emit bee-like, buzzing sound in the case of danger.
Mating season of tawny frogmouths takes place from August to December. Tawny frogmouths produce loud drumming noise during this period.
Both male and female participate in the construction of the nest. They use sticks to build nest in the trees. Tawny frogmouths use lichen and spider web to camouflage their nest.
Female lays 1 to 3 eggs per season. Both parents participate in the incubation of eggs during a period of 30 days.
Both parents provide food for their chicks. Young tawny frogmouths stay in the nest until they learn to fly, at the age of 25 to 35 days.
Tawny frogmouth can survive up to 10 years in the captivity.


Related Links:
Facts
Animal Facts
Animals Facts