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13

Papuan Frogmouth (Podargus papuensis) Alternate name(s): "Large Frogmouth", "Plumed Frogmouth*" Size: 50-60 cm Weight: 290-570 g; 415 g (male average), 315 g (female average)

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Similar species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Papuan Frogmouths are by far the tallest of all frogmouths found in Australia, with the biggest head and strongest bill. Their highly cryptic plumage is dimorphic, i.e. males and females are different. Male Papuan Frogmouths are primarily light silvery-grey with an abundance of brownish-grey scalloping on the front, while the back is more brownish-grey with lighter scalloping. Female Papuan Frogmouths are slightly smaller than males, have more rufous-brown colours with finer scalloping and less spots on their wings. The tails of both sexes are long and have barred feathers of tapered lengths. The eyes of both sexes are conspicuously red (this is not only a photographic artefact when using a flash). The bill, legs and feet are grey. Twitcher's tip Compared with Tawny Frogmouths, Papuan Frogmouths are much taller (especially when compared with race "phalaenoides" of the Tawny Frogmouth, which is found in the northern tropics). Note that Papuan Frogmouths snap their bills and make hissing sounds, while Tawny Frogmouths don't.

Taxonomy, classification See Papuan Frogmouth at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed based on sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org . The global distribution of the Papuan Frogmouth is available HERE . Papuan Frogmouths populate West Papua (Indonesia), New Guinea, the islands along Torres Strait and the far north-eastern corner of Australia. On the Australian continent, Papuan Frogmouths are found only on Cape York peninsula and on a coastal strip as far South as the estuary of the Burdekin River. Nominate race "baileyi" is found on the tip of Cape York peninsula, to about Cape Melville. Farther South, along the QLD (near-)coastal fringe, one finds race "rogersi". Papuan Frogmouths have a preference for the margins of rainforest, gallery forest and mangrove swamps.

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "baileyi" M. Mearns reports spotting a Papuan Frogmouth, race "baileyi", at Punsand Bay, at the tip of Cape York peninsula, QLD, in October 2008. M. Eaton reports finding a Papuan Frogmouth, race "baileyi", at Cape Melville, Cape York peninsula, QLD, in August 2019. Race "rogersi" M. Eaton reports spotting Papuan Frogmouths, race "rogersi", at Julatten, QLD, and on the Daintree River, QLD, in July 2018, and at the latter location again in December 2018.

Photos

Race "baileyi"

ADULT

MALE

Frontal view of a male Papuan Frogmouth (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Cape Melville, Cape York peninsula, QLD, August 2019]

Frontal portrait of a male Papuan Frogmouth (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Cape Melville, Cape York peninsula, QLD, August 2019]

Near-frontal view of a male Papuan Frogmouth with its head turned sideways (photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Punsand Bay, Cape York peninsula, QLD, October 2008]

Near-lateral portrait of a male Papuan Frogmouth (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Cape Melville, Cape York peninsula, QLD, August 2019]

Lateral portrait of a male Papuan Frogmouth (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Cape Melville, Cape York peninsula, QLD, August 2019]

Lateral view of a male Papuan Frogmouth (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Cape Melville, Cape York peninsula, QLD, August 2019]

Lateral view of a male Papuan Frogmouth (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Cape Melville, Cape York peninsula, QLD, August 2019]

Lateral view of a male Papuan Frogmouth (photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Punsand Bay, Cape York peninsula, QLD, October 2008]

Near-dorsal view of a male Papuan Frogmouth (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Cape Melville, Cape York peninsula, QLD, August 2019]

Race "rogersi"

ADULT

MALE

(Near-)frontal view of a pair of Papuan Frogmouths; male on the left (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Julatten, QLD, July 2018]

FEMALE

Near-frontal view of a female Papuan Frogmouths; note the rufous morphology (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Daintree River, QLD, July 2018]

Lateral view of a pair of Papuan Frogmouths; female in front - note the paucity of spots on the wings
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Daintree River, QLD, July 2018]

Breeding information

Breeding season: Aug - Jan

Eggs: 1 - 2

Incubation period: ca. 30? days

Fledging age: 35 - 42? days

Nest building: ?

Incubation: Male & female

Dependent care: Male & female

Nest

"bungobittah", "malunna" = nest [Aboriginal]

Type: Basket

Material: Sticks

Height above ground: Wide range

Female Papuan Frogmouth on its nest with a chick (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Daintree River, QLD, December 2018]

Eggs

"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay]

Size: 50 x 34 mm

Colour: White

Shape: Tapered oval

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

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