Is a tawny frogmouth an owl?
No. The tawny frogmouth is often mistaken for an owl, but it belongs to a different group of birds, more closely related to nightjars. It is found across almost all of Australia.
Tawny frogmouths are nocturnal and have big yellow eyes and soft, mottled grey feathers like owls. However, unlike owls, they have weak feet without strong talons and catch prey with their wide, frog-like beaks rather than their claws.
During the day they rest motionless on branches. When threatened, they stretch their bodies, point their beaks upward and close their eyes to slits, so they look like a broken branch. This camouflage is remarkably effective.
Diet and life
Frogmouths eat insects, worms, snails, spiders, and sometimes small frogs and mice, often catching them on the ground after swooping from a perch. They are common in suburbs, parks and woodlands.
Pairs often stay together for life and share nesting duties, building flimsy stick nests in tree forks.
Many are hit by cars at night while hunting insects attracted to headlights.
Did You Know?
Their grumpy-looking expressions have made tawny frogmouths a favourite in online bird polls and photos.