Papuan Frogmouth

Podargus papuensisQuoy & Gaimard, 1830

Least ConcernNative

Order: PODARGIFORMES
Family: Podargidae
Genus: Podargus

Conservation: Least Concern
Commonness: Very common
Best seen: Year-round

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

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

plumage

Look for the striking ruby-red or orange-red iris, which is a primary diagnostic feature and glows intensely under a spotlight.
Note the prominent, pale cream-colored eyebrow stripe that contrasts sharply against the dark, heavily marbled plumage of the head.
Identify females by their warmer, distinctly rufous-brown wash, while males appear more silvery-grey with heavy black and white marbling.

size_and_shape

Observe the exceptionally long, graduated tail and a massive, bulbous bill that give this bird a more elongated and 'front-heavy' silhouette than other frogmouths.

voice