Tawny Frogmouth by danob

Photography • Creatures • posted on Apr 01, 2009

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Description

This is not an April Fool joke but a real animal that seems to cross the boundary of an Owl and other birds of prey. The Tawny Frogmouth a native of Australia is a nocturnal bird with mottled grey or brown plumage that is excellent for camouflage on grey and brown trees. This is highlighted by the frogmouth's ability to extend its body to resemble a broken off tree branch. It closes its eyes to hide its startling red or orange eyes, and amazingly has even evolved two nicks in its eyelids to help it see while camouflaged. During the night they will attack potential predators by diving at them and clacking their beak together loudly. The use of beak as opposed to talons with which they catch their prey is another factor to seperate them from Owls etc. Frogmouths have wide gapes, hence the name 'frogmouth.' They eat arthropods, small vertebrates and snails. Frogmouths nest between tree forks, and though the male incubates by day, both sexes will share incubation at night. They have broad wings and primary feathers fringed to help them fly silently.

Comments (46)

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MistyLaraCarrara

11:21AM | Wed, 01 April 2009

wow, very beautiful detail. His eyes look like he needs a nap. Sort of sorrowful.

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adrie

11:33AM | Wed, 01 April 2009

Gorgeous photoshot, fantastic captured my friend.

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timtripp

11:37AM | Wed, 01 April 2009

superior imagery!

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Osipenkov

11:40AM | Wed, 01 April 2009

Amazing! Greatest shot!

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evensteven

11:41AM | Wed, 01 April 2009

Excellent shot my friend!

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decie

11:44AM | Wed, 01 April 2009

what a strange looking bird and a great capture. and thanks for the info next time bring some home and bread then into your lands it would be cool to have some new birds around:) if only.

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3x3

12:05PM | Wed, 01 April 2009

stunning and amazing shot Daniel x f!

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MirageBay

12:15PM | Wed, 01 April 2009

Excellent shot, and thank you for the ornithology lesson!

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schonee

12:18PM | Wed, 01 April 2009

he is beautiful I love his silvery color! excellent shot!

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flora-crassella

12:44PM | Wed, 01 April 2009

wonderful bird!!!! Great photo!!!!

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jeroni

12:56PM | Wed, 01 April 2009

Excellent idea and perfect realisation

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mss

1:01PM | Wed, 01 April 2009

WOW! Great bird and bird shot!

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magnus073

1:27PM | Wed, 01 April 2009

Never seen one before Danny, really a great capture for sure :)

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MagikUnicorn Online Now!

1:31PM | Wed, 01 April 2009

G O R G E O U S

BorisB

1:42PM | Wed, 01 April 2009

SUPERB!!!

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durleybeachbum

1:57PM | Wed, 01 April 2009

Marvellous portrait!

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lyron

2:02PM | Wed, 01 April 2009

Excellent capture!!

MedTran39

2:29PM | Wed, 01 April 2009

Fantastic!

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HERBshines

2:35PM | Wed, 01 April 2009

Whow!!!!!!What an Amazing grabshot this is. The detail and clarity of its plumage is Unreal. You must have been out there with a 1000mm mirror lens....LOL or close to that.Beautiful....Simply Beautiful.

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