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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Podargidae
  4. ›
  5. Podargus
  6. ›
  7. Papuan Frogmouth
Papuan Frogmouth
Photo · (c) Tom Field, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Papuan Frogmouth

Podargus papuensisQuoy & Gaimard, 1830

Updated 21 March 2026

Conservation status: Least ConcernOrigin: Native
Order
PODARGIFORMES
Family
Podargidae
Genus
Podargus

At a glance

The Papuan Frogmouth is a large bird, about 50–60 cm long, listed as Least Concern and native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
50–60 cm
Conservation status
Least Concern
Origin
Native
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Very common
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Papuan Frogmouth look like?

The Papuan Frogmouth is a large bird, about 50–60 cm long and weighing 256–599 g.

The Papuan frogmouth is a species of bird in the family Podargidae, found in the Aru Islands, New Guinea, and in Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
50–60 cm
Weight
256–599 g
Wingspan
75 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

behaviour

  • During the day, it adopts a 'broken stick' posture, sitting perfectly still with its head tilted upward and its body aligned with a branch to mimic dead wood.

plumage

  • Look for the diagnostic blood-red iris and a prominent cream-colored eyebrow; males are typically heavily marbled and darker, whereas females often show a more rufous wash.

size_and_shape

  • Note the exceptionally heavy, bulbous bill and the long, tapering tail that projects significantly beyond the wingtips when the bird is perched.

voice

  • Listen for a deep, resonant, drumming 'ooom' call or a series of rapid, hollow hoots that sound like muffled, rhythmic laughter.

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Papuan Frogmouth?

The Papuan Frogmouth is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Papuan Frogmouth eat?

The Papuan Frogmouth feeds on terrestrial invertebrates and terrestrial vertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or flocks or alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

6 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Papuan Frogmouth live in Australia?

The Papuan Frogmouth is native to Australia, recorded across 8 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingNew Guinea and west satellites, and Cape York Pen., north-east QLD (north-east Australia)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Non-breeding
  • Resident
  • Vagrant

4 regions recorded