Papuan Frogmouth

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Papuan Frogmouth
male
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Caprimulgiformes
Family: Podargidae
Genus: Podargus
Species: P. papuensis
Binomial name
Podargus papuensis
Quoy & Gaimard, 1830

The Papuan Frogmouth (Podargus papuensis) is a species of bird in the Podargidae family.

Taxonomy

The species was originally described by zoologist Jean René Constant Quoy and naturalist Joseph Paul Gaimard in 1830.

There are three subspecies: P. p. papuensis, P. p. baileyi and P. p. rogersi[2]

Description

The Papuan Frogmouth is the largest of frogmouths in terms of length and rivals the Neotropical Great Potoo as the largest species in the order Caprimulgiformes.[3] On average these birds are about 53 cm (21 in), with a range of 50–60 cm (20–24 in), and weigh about 380 grams (13 oz), with a range of 300–570 g (11–20 oz).[4][5] The Tawny Frogmouth is smaller in length but often reaches heavier weights. The Papuan Frogmouth has a bulbous bill, red eye, cream eyebrow, long tail and dark wings. The male of the species is slightly larger, darker and marbled in appearance. The female is more rufous in appearance.

P. p. baileyi is smaller, and darker. P. p. rogersi is larger and paler.[6]

Similar species include the Tawny Frogmouth. The Papuan Frogmouth is larger, has red eyes, a longer tail and darker wings.[6]

Distribution and habitat

It is found in Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, within the Torres Strait and on other islands.[6]

This species' natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

Behaviour

Call

The call is a resonant 'ooom' or a laughing hoot. It is usually heard after dusk and before dawn.[7]

Breeding

Breeding takes place from August to January.[6] One or two white eggs are placed in a nest consisting of a few sticks placed in the fork of a branch.[6]

Feeding

The Papuan frogmouth is strictly nocturnal. It hunts for large insects but also lizards, frogs and small rodents on the ground from dusk.[7]

It has been speculated that the Papuan frogmouth may secrete a substance in its mouth that attracts flies.[8] According to a number of observers is able to wait with its mouth open and flies enter to investigate the odor.[9]

References

  1. ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Podargus papuensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 26 November 2013. 
  2. ↑ "Papuan Frogmouth". Avibase. 
  3. ↑ http://www.redmillhouse.com.au/birds/papuan_frogmouth.html
  4. ↑ CRC Handbook of Avian Body Masses by John B. Dunning Jr. (Editor). CRC Press (1992), ISBN 978-0-8493-4258-5.
  5. ↑ (2011).
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Pizzey, Graham; Knight, Frank (1997). Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Sydney, Australia: HarperCollinsPublishers. p. 308. ISBN 0-207-18013-X. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Strange, Morten. A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Indonesia. Princeton University Press. 
  8. ↑ "Full text of "Natural history"". Archive.org. 
  9. ↑ Corliss, William. "Science Frontiers". 
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