Philippine Frogmouth

Batrachostomus septimus

Least ConcernRareEndemicInvertebratesForestCup nestMedium · 87 g

About the Philippine Frogmouth

The Philippine frogmouth is a nocturnal bird that can be found throughout the Philippine archipelago. It is common in lowland forests and maturing second growth. There is little information about the bird. It feeds on grasshoppers, cicadas, crickets and beetles.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

Like all frogmouths, the Philippine frogmouth has large eyes for better night vision, a large flat bill for capturing insects, and cryptic plumage which allows them to be camouflaged while perched during the day. They are found in the Philippines, and can be confused with the Philippine Nightjar, which despite its similar shape has very different plumage. The Philippine frogmouth is a medium frogmouth, being 24–26cm long, with two color morphs (and intermediate phases); one is a chestnut rufous with deep rufous ground color, the other a lighter brown with buff and black barring. Voice: Male calls are a series of low, deep woah, wash, Guam, or g-aw noises, or a short even trill. Female calls are louder, a short mewl that descends in pitch. Both sexes have a harsh growling call they repeat several times per minute, and a harsh staccato-like scream that is believed to be an alarm call.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where it lives

Regular range

When to see it

Peak activity in February · a variable species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Learn the Philippine Frogmouth for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

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