|
Podargidae:
The frogmouths are a group of nocturnal birds related to the nightjars. They are found from India across southern Asia to Australia. They are named for their large flattened hooked bills and huge frog-like gape, which they use to take insects. Their flight is weak.
They rest horizontally on branches during the day, camouflaged by their cryptic plumage. Up to three white eggs are laid in the fork of a branch, and are incubated by the female at night and the male in the day.
The three Podargus species are large frogmouths restricted to Australia and New Guinea, and have massive flat broad bills. The ten Batrachostomus frogmouths are found in tropical Asia. They have smaller, more rounded bills. |
