Frogmouth
A nocturnal bird in the family Podargidae, found in Asia and Australasia. Its broad, frog-like bill gives it its name.
Podargidae: A family of nocturnal birds native to Asia and Australasia, comprising the frogmouths. Frogmouths are the living members of this bird family.
Sit-and-wait predation: A hunting strategy in which a predator waits in place before attacking passing prey. A frogmouth often watches from a perch before swooping down on prey.
Tawny frogmouth: A large Australian frogmouth with grey-brown plumage and a broad, flattened bill. It is a familiar species whose camouflage resembles broken tree bark.
Nightjar: A nocturnal bird in the family Caprimulgidae, usually with a small bill and wide gape. Nightjars catch insects in flight, unlike frogmouths that often take prey from perches.
Caprimulgiformes: An order of nocturnal birds that includes frogmouths and nightjars. Modern classifications place frogmouths within this broader group.
Moth: An insect in the order Lepidoptera, usually distinguished from butterflies by its antennae and habits. Moths are among the flying insects frogmouths catch at night.
Papuan frogmouth: A large frogmouth found in New Guinea and nearby islands. Its island distribution illustrates the family’s Australasian range.
Owlet-nightjar: A small nocturnal bird in the Australasian family Aegothelidae. Despite its name and habits, it belongs to a different bird family.
Bill: The keratin-covered jaws of a bird, used in feeding and other tasks. The frogmouth’s broad, hooked bill helps it catch large prey.
Orthoptera: An insect order that includes grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids. Ground-dwelling orthopterans are common prey for several frogmouths.