
Crazy Cute - Tawny Frogmouth

by KJ Swan
Title
Crazy Cute - Tawny Frogmouth
Artist
KJ Swan
Medium
Photograph
Description
Even with eyes like bright yellow saucers, the Tawny Frogmouth is surprisingly well camouflaged among the native pine forests of Australia and Tasmania.
They are an odd shaped bird with stocky bodies covered in white, black, brown, gray and silver feathers. Although they resemble owls, they are more closely related to the equally colorfully-named North American Whippoorwill and British Nightjar. However, the confusion is understandable and is reflected in their species name, P. strigoides, which comes from the Latin word for “owl” (strix) and “form” (oides).
Tawny Frogmouths eat a variety of pests through the night including insects, rodents, amphibians and small reptiles. These round little birds mate for life laying only 1 to 3 eggs at a time with both parents taking turns at incubation. Although listed as "Least Concern" wildfires, pesticides and nighttime drivers have all caused population declines.
Uploaded
January 14th, 2022
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Comments (6)

KJ Swan
Thanks to all who voted this image into first place in the "BIRD" contest - November 2022. Cheers!

Gary F Richards
Beautiful Tawny Frogmouth composition, lighting, shading, lovely colors and artwork! F/L voted

Lindley Johnson
A wonderful image of this interesting bird, KJ! I learned something new when I read your description. L
KJ Swan replied:
Thank you Lindley! He is an interesting bird. I'm glad you enjoyed the description too. :)