Tawny Frogmouth

I was watching this young Tawny Frogmouth sleeping on a perch beside its parent when I accidentally stepped on a stick, the sudden snap breaking the quiet and catching the bird’s attention. It opened its eyes wide and stared straight at me, giving me the perfect opportunity to capture this photo. For a moment, it watched me curiously, seemingly unbothered by my presence; then, just as calmly, it closed its eyes and went back to sleep. Its other parent was also nearby, roosting peacefully on a separate branch.

Physical appearance

The Tawny Frogmouth is a stocky, nocturnal bird with mottled grey, brown, and black plumage that resembles tree bark. This camouflage allows them to remain nearly invisible during the day. They have large, forward-facing yellow eyes and a wide, flat beak that gives them their distinctive “frogmouth” name. When threatened, they adopt a stiff, upright posture, mimicking a broken branch.

Habitat

Tawny Frogmouths are found throughout most of Australia in a wide range of habitats, including woodlands, forests, suburban parks, and gardens. They prefer areas with tall trees where they can roost unnoticed during the day.

Behaviour

Diet: Tawny Frogmouths are nocturnal hunters. They feed mostly on insects, spiders, slugs, and small vertebrates such as frogs and mice. They usually pounce from a perch or catch prey on the ground and occasionally hunt in flight.
Camouflage experts: During the day, they rely on stillness and their excellent camouflage to avoid detection. Their “broken branch” pose helps them blend seamlessly into tree trunks.
Quiet nature: Unlike owls, which they’re often mistaken for, Tawny Frogmouths are not raptors and have gentler calls. Their soft, low “oom-oom-oom” call can sometimes be heard on still nights.

Breeding

Nesting: Tawny Frogmouths build a simple platform nest of sticks in the fork of a tree. Both parents share the duties of incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks. They are devoted parents and remain close to the nest, especially during the breeding season.
Breeding period: Breeding usually occurs from August to December, although this can vary depending on location and climate.