Sri Lanka Frogmouth vs Marbled Frogmouth
Batrachostomus moniliger compared with Podargus ocellatus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Sri Lanka Frogmouth | Marbled Frogmouth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Batrachostomus moniliger | Podargus ocellatus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Podargidae | Podargidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 23.2 cm (9.1 in) | 35.2 cm (13.9 in) |
| Weight | 52.75 g (1.86 oz) | 205.83333333333334 g (7.26 oz) |
| Diet | Crepuscular and nocturnal ground-gleaner eating large arthropods, worms, and occasional small frogs near forest streams. | Strictly nocturnal; takes large beetles, frogs, and lizards by silent perch-drop onto the forest floor. |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Sri Lanka Frogmouth
Repeated mellow 'oo-or' or 'kaow'; descending melodic whistle; calls at night from Sri Lankan rainforest; pairs often duet; alarm a soft hiss when threatened
Marbled Frogmouth
Loud 'oom-oom-oom' or bubbling cackle; resonant hollow hooting; calls from New Guinea forest at night; alarm a harsh hiss; repertoire includes soft cooing and chuckling
Geographic Range & Migration
Sri Lanka Frogmouth
Endemic to Sri Lanka and the Western Ghats of southwestern India. Resident in tropical rainforest up to 1,800 m. Classified as Vulnerable.
Marbled Frogmouth
Found in New Guinea and Australia (Cape York Peninsula). Resident in tropical rainforest, vine thickets, and dense monsoon forest.
Conservation Status
Sri Lanka Frogmouth
Marbled Frogmouth
How to Tell Them Apart
Sri Lanka Frogmouth
Males brown-grey with black vermiculations and white scapular spots arranged in necklace pattern; females warm rufous with white spots; endemic to Sri Lanka and SW India; 'moniliger' refers to the …
Marbled Frogmouth
Intricately marbled chestnut-brown and black upperparts with pale buff ocellations; underparts pale buff barred dark brown; large yellow eyes; massive hooked bill; female averages more rufous-chestnut than grey-brown male.
About These Birds
Sri Lanka Frogmouth
A small frogmouth (19-23 cm) endemic to the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka. Rufous-brown plumage with fine white spotting. Nocturnal insectivore of dense wet forest undergrowth. Known for its loud, distinctive frog-like croaking calls at dusk, inspiring its common name.
Marbled Frogmouth
A large frogmouth (38-50 cm) found in New Guinea and surrounding islands and northeast Australia. Mottled brown, black, and white plumage resembling tree bark. Nocturnal insectivore with a wide, hooked bill. Inhabits rainforest and forest edges.