Matthew Higgins | Guest contributor
I have had the good fortune to have spent some years watching Tawny Frogmouths. My wife Steph and I observed up to ten pairs go through their annual breeding cycle, for about a decade, on Mt Ainslie in Canberra. Now living on the NSW far south coast, we see Froggies here too. In fact a pair nested in our front yard this year!
The Tawny Frogmouth is found throughout most parts of the country, inhabiting the bush and living in suburbs as well. The bird’s most striking characteristic is its amazing camouflage. Owing to plumage patterns, and posture, Frogmouths can just disappear among trees.
Frogmouths are nocturnal, mate for life, and are very loyal to territory. Nests are built in August, and eggs (from one to three in number) are laid in September. Chicks are raised during October, and fledge the following month.
My new five-minute video ‘Frogmouths Forever’ is now on YouTube. There is narration and natural sound on the soundtrack so make sure you have your volume on.
I hope you enjoy it. I trust that it will spread awareness of this marvellous Australian bird, and assist conservation. Feel free to share the link.