Is it an owl? Is it a night jar? No, it is a frogmouth!

[Callie]

My fascination with frogmouths started many years ago when I first saw some images on the web. Then, when my son moved down to Oz, I finally thought that it would be possible to see them in the wild. On our first visit to Oz, on the very first evening, I found one in the wood across my son's house! Man, what a feeling . Later, I also found one breeding in the wood above one of the regular walkways. One our second visit, I was determined to see them properly and shoot them, if possible, in the wild. These two images are from two different night trips. I now also learned the difference between the two main species in QLD. There is a 3rd species up north in QLD, but we have not yet bee that far up.
Tawny Frogmouth is the larger of the two and more abundant whereas the Marbled Frogmouth is smaller and normally has a longer tail. The main visual difference is the plumagestripped in the Tawny and small block-like pattern - marble, on the Marble.
Tawny Frogmouth ~ D850; 500PF; F/5.6; 1/320; ISO 640; SB 900

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Marble Frogmouth ~ D500; 500 PF; F/5.6; 1/200; ISO 1250; SB 900

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[Rassie]

Nice images, Callie.
This bird looks OK when viewed from the front. It looks like a one-eyed monster in the second shot.

 

[Syllog]

Thanks Callie -your post reminded me of the thrill the first time I found a pair in the bush. The Tawny Frogmouth is not uncommon in the parks and bush land around where we live in Melbourne. During the Covid lockdown we regularly saw one roosting high in a gum tree on our daily walk. On a recent evening visit we saw four. The texture and colour of their plumage combined with their sedentary nature during the daytime can make them very hard to see, Andy

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[Yezdi]

Superb captures...both Callie & Syllog

 

[Callie]

Thanks Callie -your post reminded me of the thrill the first time I found a pair in the bush. The Tawny Frogmouth is not uncommon in the parks and bush land around where we live in Melbourne. During the Covid lockdown we regularly saw one roosting high in a gum tree on our daily walk. On a recent evening visit we saw four. The texture and colour of their plumage combined with their sedentary nature during the daytime can make them very hard to see, Andy
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Andy, thanks.
The are such special birds for me. Looks like your ones are more accommodating than the Gold Coast ones.

 

[ruley74]

Great shots Callie, I very much understand your fascination. Such a cool bird!

 

[Jim G]

My fascination with frogmouths started many years ago when I first saw some images on the web. Then, when my son moved down to Oz, I finally thought that it would be possible to see them in the wild. On our first visit to Oz, on the very first evening, I found one in the wood across my son's house! Man, what a feeling . Later, I also found one breeding in the wood above one of the regular walkways. One our second visit, I was determined to see them properly and shoot them, if possible, in the wild. These two images are from two different night trips. I now also learned the difference between the two main species in QLD. There is a 3rd species up north in QLD, but we have not yet bee that far up.
Tawny Frogmouth is the larger of the two and more abundant whereas the Marbled Frogmouth is smaller and normally has a longer tail. The main visual difference is the plumagestripped in the Tawny and small block-like pattern - marble, on the Marble.
Tawny Frogmouth ~ D850; 500PF; F/5.6; 1/320; ISO 640; SB 900

View attachment 11267

Marble Frogmouth ~ D500; 500 PF; F/5.6; 1/200; ISO 1250; SB 900

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Hi Callie.

Most interesting.

JIM

 

[Cristobal]

Very nice captures! It seems that they like eucalyptus trees?

 

[Callie]

Very nice captures! It seems that they like eucalyptus trees?

That seems to be the dominant tree species in Oz. Different types, though

 

[Cristobal]

That seems to be the dominant tree species in Oz. Different types, though

Thank you for the info!

 

[marc]

A special sighting indeed @Callie
We have the Papuan Frogmouth up here in FNQ, there's a nice pair with a sub adult very close to the Botanical Gardens.

 

[Callie]

A special sighting indeed @Callie
We have the Papuan Frogmouth up here in FNQ, there's a nice pair with a sub adult very close to the Botanical Gardens.

Thanks Marc. That is #3 on my list to hopefully see someday

 

[Syllog]

Andy, thanks.
The are such special birds for me. Looks like your ones are more accommodating than the Gold Coast ones.

Hi Callie,
My wife and I were walking in local bushland at the weekend and saw five in total. One in its usual tree and four in a tree nearby - 2 adults and 2 young.
The first image highlights how well matched the plumage is to their surroundings and why they are easily missed high up in the branches.

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Best wishes for the festive season, Andy

 

[Callie]

Hi Callie,
My wife and I were walking in local bushland at the weekend and saw five in total. One in its usual tree and four in a tree nearby - 2 adults and 2 young.
The first image highlights how well matched the plumage is to their surroundings and why they are easily missed high up in the branches.




Best wishes for the festive season, Andy

Thanks Andy, lucky you. They are beautiful.
A wonderful festive season for you too