The Papuan frogmouth is a species of bird in the family Podargidae, found in the Aru Islands, New Guinea, and in Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia.
Region
New Guinea, Aru Islands, and Cape York Peninsula
Typical Environment
It inhabits lowland and hill forests, including primary and secondary rainforest, monsoon woodland, gallery forest, and mangroves. It is common along forest edges, clearings, and riparian corridors where prey is abundant. In northern Australia it also occurs in open eucalypt woodland and occasionally in parks and gardens near forest. By day it roosts lengthwise on branches, often near the trunk; by night it hunts from exposed perches along tracks and waterways.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Papuan frogmouth is the largest frogmouth, using its enormous, wide gape to snatch insects and small vertebrates at night. By day it sits motionless in a "broken branch" pose, relying on superb camouflage to avoid detection. It occurs across New Guinea, the Aru Islands, and into far northern Australia (Cape York Peninsula). Its resonant, booming calls carry far through tropical forests after dusk.
Papuan frogmouth in Papua New Guinea
Papuan frogmouth, Julatten, Queensland
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief silent glides
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, maintaining territories year-round. Pairs construct a flimsy platform nest of twigs and lay one, rarely two, eggs. Both parents brood, with the male often incubating by day while camouflaged on the nest. Chicks hatch with white down and are guarded closely at the roost.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A deep, resonant series of booming ‘oom-oom-oom’ notes given at night, often echoing through forest. Also emits gruff growls, hisses, and soft grunts at close range.
