Bornean Frogmouth vs Tawny Frogmouth
Batrachostomus mixtus compared with Podargus strigoides
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Bornean Frogmouth | Tawny Frogmouth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Batrachostomus mixtus | Podargus strigoides |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Podargidae | Podargidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 23.6 cm (9.3 in) | 45.8 cm (18.0 in) |
| Weight | 46.3 g (1.63 oz) | 430.0 g (15.17 oz) |
| Diet | Nocturnal perch-and-pounce predator feeding on large invertebrates, small frogs, and lizards on the forest floor. | Nocturnal ground-gleaning insectivore; drops from a perch onto large insects, frogs, and small lizards below. |
| Clutch Size | -- | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Bornean Frogmouth
Soft melodic hooting; 'too-too' whistle from Bornean hill forest; gentle and ventriloquial; calls at night from dense undergrowth; alarm a soft hissing exhalation
Tawny Frogmouth
Resonant, repeated 'oom-oom-oom'; low booming hoot; soft and melodious for such a large bird; calls at night from Australian eucalypt forest; alarm a harsh 'grr'
Geographic Range & Migration
Bornean Frogmouth
Endemic to the highlands of Borneo at 900–2,400 m. Found in montane forest on Mount Kinabalu and adjacent ranges. Rare.
Tawny Frogmouth
Found throughout Australia including Tasmania. Resident in woodland, forest edge, and suburban areas. Widespread and common across the continent.
Conservation Status
Bornean Frogmouth
Tawny Frogmouth
How to Tell Them Apart
Bornean Frogmouth
Males grey-brown finely vermiculated dark; white scapular spots; females rufous-chestnut with white-buff spotting; small Borneo endemic closely resembling Sumatran Frogmouth but greyer with less contrast between crown and back.
Tawny Frogmouth
Cryptic silver-grey upperparts with black shaft streaks; underparts paler grey with dark streaking; females often more rufous-tawny morph; vivid yellow eyes; heavy hooked bill; famous for bark-mimicking upright posture when …
About These Birds
Bornean Frogmouth
A medium-sized frogmouth (23-25 cm) endemic to the mountains of Borneo. Dark brown plumage. Nocturnal insectivore of montane moss forest. Recently split from Horsfield's Frogmouth. Limited ecological data; restricted to elevations above 600 m.
Tawny Frogmouth
A large, stocky frogmouth (34-53 cm) endemic to Australia, widespread across the continent. Silvery-grey mottled plumage provides superb camouflage against tree bark. Nocturnal insectivore pouncing on prey from perches. Australia's most commonly encountered nocturnal bird.