The Palawan frogmouth is a species of bird in the family Podargidae. It is found on Palawan in the Philippines. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forest. It is sometimes considered conspecific with the Javan and Blyth's frogmouth.
Region
Palawan Island, Philippines
Typical Environment
Occurs in primary and secondary tropical moist lowland forest, forest edge, and riverine and bamboo thickets. It favors dense understory and midstory perches along trails and clearings where insects are abundant. It can persist in selectively logged habitats if some canopy cover and understory structure remain. It is generally local and patchy but may be overlooked due to its nocturnal habits.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A cryptic nocturnal bird of the frogmouth family, it is found only on Palawan in the Philippines. It is sometimes treated as conspecific with the Javan and Blyth's frogmouths, but differs in voice and subtle plumage traits. By day it roosts motionless, mimicking a broken branch; at night it hawks insects from low perches. Like other frogmouths, it has long whisker-like bristles around a very wide bill.
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
short, silent flights with rapid wingbeats between brief glides
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs, especially during the breeding season. Pairs maintain small territories and roost on horizontal branches, relying on camouflage. The nest is a small pad placed on a branch, usually holding a single egg, with both adults sharing incubation and chick care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
The call is a series of low, resonant, frog-like notes given at night, often in spaced sequences. Duetting between mates may occur, with soft booming or bubbling phrases that carry through the forest understory.
