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The earliest fossil evidence of frogmouths, from the Eocene, implies that they diverged from their closest relatives during the early Tertiary.
Not listed
Endemic to Australia
Indigenous: Naidaul, Dhududhudug, Dhuduthudu, Buluurr, Guluykuluy, Guluykkuluy, Kombaarny, A-Guluykuluy, Gilbirtgulutj, Gurr-Gurr, Guluyguluy
At a glance
FamilyFrogmouths
SizeSmall
RarityCommon
HabitatTimbered edges, open forest, suburban gardens with mature trees, and lightly wooded scrub.
Best timeMost reliable in New South Wales from October to November.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Marc Anderson
Range map
Range map
6668visible hotspots
152214visible records
6states
SparseModerateDense hotspot
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