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Papuan Frogmouth
(Podargus papuensis)
: "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 |
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Physical description |
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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.
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Twitcher's tip |
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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.
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Taxonomy, classification |
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See Papuan
Frogmouth at Wikipedia .
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Range, habitat, finding this species |
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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
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The global distribution of the Papuan Frogmouth is available
HERE
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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.
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Sightings |
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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.
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.
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Photos |
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Race "baileyi"
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ADULT |
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MALE |
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Frontal view of a male Papuan Frogmouth with its head turned sideways;
note the grey morphology and the long tail
(photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Punsand Bay, Cape York Peninsula, QLD, October 2008]
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]
Lateral view of a male Papuan Frogmouth; note the multitude
of spots on the wing
(photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Punsand Bay, Cape York Peninsula, QLD, October 2008]
Race "rogersi"
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ADULT |
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MALE |
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(Near-)frontal view of a pair of Papuan Frogmouths; male on the left
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Julatten, QLD, July 2018]
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FEMALE |
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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]
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Breeding information |
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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 |
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"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]
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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.