Often mistaken for a broken branch, this nocturnal bird relies on extraordinary camouflage to vanish in plain sight.
Not listed
Endemic to Australia
Indigenous: Naidaul, Dhududhudug, Dhuduthudu, Buluurr, Guluykuluy, Guluykkuluy, Kombaarny, A-Guluykuluy, Gilbirtgulutj, Gurr-Gurr, Guluyguluy
At a glance
FamilyFrogmouths
SizeMedium
RarityCommon
HabitatP. s. phalaenoides is found throughout Northern Australia southwards to the Great Sandy Desert, Barkly Tableland, and the Gulf of Carpentaria in Queensland.
Best timeMost reliable in New South Wales from October to November.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Marc Anderson
Range map
Range map
200approx hotspots
152643approx records
7states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Note bright yellow eye and very large ‘frog-like’ bill with whiskers above only slightly banded. Usually gray but some subspecies appear more rusty-colored. Present in a wide variety of habitats and common in suburban areas.
Behavior
Australia’s most familiar nocturnal bird. A master of camouflage, its shaggy plumage blends in with rough bark when roosting.
Gallery
Regional timing
Queensland
Northern Territory
New South Wales
Western Australia
Victoria
Tasmania
South Australia
Australian Capital Territory