Sumatran Frogmouth vs Tawny Frogmouth
Batrachostomus poliolophus compared with Podargus strigoides
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Sumatran Frogmouth | Tawny Frogmouth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Batrachostomus poliolophus | Podargus strigoides |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Podargidae | Podargidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 24.1 cm (9.5 in) | 45.8 cm (18.0 in) |
| Weight | 46.3 g (1.63 oz) | 430.0 g (15.17 oz) |
| Diet | Night hunter detecting prey by sound; takes large beetles, frogs, and lizards in swift pouncing … | Nocturnal ground-gleaning insectivore; drops from a perch onto large insects, frogs, and small lizards below. |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1-5 |
| 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
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
Sumatran Frogmouth
Endemic to the highlands of Sumatra at 800–2,000 m. Found in submontane and montane rainforest. Rare and seldom recorded.
Tawny Frogmouth
Found throughout Australia including Tasmania. Resident in woodland, forest edge, and suburban areas. Widespread and common across the continent.
Conservation Status
Sumatran Frogmouth
Tawny 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 …
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
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.
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.