Papuan Frogmouth

About the Papuan Frogmouth

The Papuan frogmouth (Podargus papuensis) is a species of bird in the family Podargidae, found in the Aru Islands, New Guinea, and in Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia. The species was originally described by zoologist Jean René Constant Quoy and naturalist Joseph Paul Gaimard in 1830.

The three subspecies are P. p. papuensis, P. p. baileyi, and P. p. rogersi. The Papuan frogmouth is the largest of frogmouths in terms of length. Average sizes indicate that it only falls behind the Neotropical great potoo and oilbird (if the latter is a true member of the order) among the largest species in the order Caprimulgiformes. On average these birds are about 53 cm (21 in), with a range of 50 to 60 cm (20 to 24 in). This species was found to average 414 g (14.6 oz) in males and 314 g (11.1 oz) in females, with a total range of 290 to 570 g (10 to 20 oz). The tawny frogmouth is smaller on average than this but is capable of reaching higher maximum weights. The Papuan frogmouth has a bulbous bill, red eye, cream eyebrow, long tail and dark wings. The male of the species is slightly larger, darker and marbled in appearance. The female is more rufous in... Wikipedia →