Sumatran Frogmouth vs Marbled Frogmouth
Batrachostomus poliolophus compared with Podargus ocellatus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Sumatran Frogmouth | Marbled Frogmouth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Batrachostomus poliolophus | Podargus ocellatus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Podargidae | Podargidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 24.1 cm (9.5 in) | 35.2 cm (13.9 in) |
| Weight | 46.3 g (1.63 oz) | 205.83333333333334 g (7.26 oz) |
| Diet | Night hunter detecting prey by sound; takes large beetles, frogs, and lizards in swift pouncing … | 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
Sumatran Frogmouth
High melodic whistle; 'kee-wii' repeated softly at night; Sumatran highland forest endemic; rarely recorded; higher-pitched than lowland frogmouths; pairs call together
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
Sumatran Frogmouth
Endemic to the highlands of Sumatra at 800–2,000 m. Found in submontane and montane rainforest. Rare and seldom recorded.
Marbled Frogmouth
Found in New Guinea and Australia (Cape York Peninsula). Resident in tropical rainforest, vine thickets, and dense monsoon forest.
Conservation Status
Sumatran Frogmouth
Marbled Frogmouth
How to Tell Them Apart
Sumatran Frogmouth
Males grey with fine black stippling and white scapular row; pale grey crown slightly paler than back; females rufous-cinnamon with white-spotted coverts; Sumatran endemic with noticeably pale grey crown distinguishing …
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
Sumatran Frogmouth
A medium-sized frogmouth (23-26 cm) endemic to montane forests of Sumatra, Indonesia, above 900 m elevation. Rufous-brown plumage with fine whitish markings. Nocturnal insectivore of dense undergrowth. Poorly known; classified as Near Threatened due to forest loss.
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.