Solomons Frogmouth

Rigidipenna inexpectata

Near ThreatenedLegendaryInvertebratesForestPlatform nestMedium · 175 g

About the Solomons Frogmouth

The Solomons frogmouth, also known as the Cinnamon frogmouth or Solomon Islands frogmouth, is a predatory bird in the frogmouth family. It was first described in 1901, but not recognized as a distinct species until 2007. The Solomons frogmouth is the only known member of the genus Rigidipenna. It is endemic to the islands of Isabel, Bougainville and Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands archipelago, which lies in the countries of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

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

ID tip

When first encountered, the Solomons frogmouth was thought to be a subspecies of the Australian marbled frogmouth (Podargus ocellatus). However, an expedition by the Florida Museum of Natural History to Santa Isabel Island managed to collect a new specimen in 1998. Upon examination, the ornithologists Nigel Cleere, Andrew Kratter, together with paleontologist David Steadman, Michael Braun, Christopher Huddleston, evolutionary biologist Christopher Filardi, and ornithologist Guy Dutson realized that it was highly distinct from P. ocellatus.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where it lives

Regular range

When to see it

Peak activity in September · a passage migrant species across most of its range

Easily confused with

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