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laine | all galleries >> Challenges >> past_challenges >> November 2017~Scavenger Hunt > Shades of Grey ~ Tawny Frogmouth
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01-NOV-2017

Shades of Grey ~ Tawny Frogmouth

Tawny Frogmouth
(Podargus strigoides)

When it’s not mistaken for an owl, the Tawny Frogmouth can easily be confused with a tree branch! With narrowed eyelids and a stretched neck, this bark-coloured bird is a master of camouflage.

Tawny Frogmouths are between 34cm (females) and 53cm long (males) and can weigh up to 680g. Their plumage is mottled grey, white, black and rufous – the feather patterns help them mimic dead tree branches
Their beak is large and wide, hence the name frogmouth.

Their genus name, Podargus, is from the Greek work for gout. Why?Unlike owls they don't have curved talons on their feet; in fact, their feet are small, and they’re said to walk like a gout-ridden man! Their species name, strigoides, means owl-like.

They’re nocturnal and carnivorous, but Tawny Frogmouths aren't owls – they’re more closely related to Nightjars. There are two other species of frogmouth in Australia – the Papuan Frogmouth (Podargus papuensis) lives in the Cape York Peninsula, and the Marbled Frogmouth (P. ocellatus) is found in two well-separated races: one in tropical rainforests in northern Cape York and the other in subtropical forests of southern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales.

https://www.bushheritage.org.au/species/tawny-frogmouth

Please see others posting here
http://form.pbase.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=48438&p=374507#p374507

Canon EOS 7D
1/320s f/2.8 at 60.0mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Ray :)06-Nov-2017 21:28
It's really odd, isn't? It must have featured on a David Attenborough programme at some point!
LynnH03-Nov-2017 02:07
Great camouflage! Never seen a bird like this. V
Stephanie02-Nov-2017 23:01
What an interesting and odd looking creature! V
Dan Greenberg02-Nov-2017 22:19
It really does blend in. Even after know what it is and where it is, it is still hard t o tell it's a bird. Superbly captured! ~BV~
Faye White02-Nov-2017 16:25
Wow, the camouflage is amazing. If not for the feet I wouldn't have spotted it.
bill friedlander02-Nov-2017 15:47
Blends in well with the surroundings. Good eye to see it. V
Yvonne02-Nov-2017 10:39
You could easily miss seeing the bird it is so well camouflaged! v
barbarajoy02-Nov-2017 10:15
The Tawny Frogmouth is wonderful Laine. I have seen similar and they nevr fail to intrigue me. What a great image.
joseantonio02-Nov-2017 05:12
well spotted and captured.V.
Dennis Hoyne02-Nov-2017 02:27
So neat! From the thumb, i assumed it was just part of the tree. It is so good to learn of these nuw and unusual species (at least to me). V
Don Mottershead02-Nov-2017 00:19
I would have never spotted that guy. Interesting creature.
Graeme02-Nov-2017 00:06
What a find, Laine.BV!!
Johnny JAG01-Nov-2017 22:30
Amazing!
larose forest photos01-Nov-2017 22:03
These are two incredible photos! They are not easy birds to spot, or photograph. VV
Kim01-Nov-2017 21:46
Lovely captures!! quite cute too! V
Jackdad01-Nov-2017 21:17
My goodness me, that is impressive camouflage!
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