World Bird Wednesday - Tawny Frogmouth.

I was coming home a last weekend just as it was getting dark. As I got out of the car I could hear possums squabbling in a large gum trees so I went to have a look. As I approached a large bird few from the tree. My first reaction was “owl”, but it when I had a better look it turned into a Tawny Frogmouth. Luckily it was still there when I came back with the camera. It’s a common mistake to think these birds are some form of owl, but they are more closely related to Nightjars.

As their name suggest they have huge gapping mouths and are nocturnal hunters. By day they sit upright in trees, relying on their camouflage. Seen in most lights during the day (and they are hard to find) they really do look like broken off branches. Luckily this one gave the game away by flying. I’ve removed the “red-eye” caused by the flash, but the eyes should be orange!

You can find more world birds here, and you can see the latest post on my other blog by clicking the Paying Ready Attention link on the RHS of the page.

Enjoy the birds.