Sri Lanka Frogmouth
Batrachostomus moniliger
The Sri Lanka Frogmouth (Batrachostomus moniliger) is a rare frogmouth found in 2 countries, weighing about 52 g. The Sri Lanka frogmouth, Sri Lankan frogmouth or Ceylon frogmouth is a small frogmouth found in the Western Ghats of south India and Sri Lanka.
About the Sri Lanka Frogmouth
The Sri Lanka frogmouth, Sri Lankan frogmouth or Ceylon frogmouth is a small frogmouth found in the Western Ghats of south India and Sri Lanka. Related to the nightjars, it is nocturnal and is found in forest habitats. The plumage coloration resembles that of dried leaves and the bird roosts quietly on branches, making it difficult to see. Each has a favourite roost that it uses regularly unless disturbed. It has a distinctive call that is usually heard at dawn and dusk. The sexes differ slightly in plumage.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
This bird reaches 23 centimetres (9.1 in) in length. Like all frogmouths, this species has a wide and hooked bill with slit-like nostrils and the large head with eyes facing forward to provide a wide field of binocular vision. Compared to others of its genus it has small wings, which are distinguished by the wing coverts ending in black spots tipped with white. The male is gray-brown with fine barring and a spotted crown. Some males are browner and look more similar to females. The female is more rufous or chestnut brown.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in January. It is a winter visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Sri Lanka Frogmouth?
- This bird reaches 23 centimetres (9.1 in) in length. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Sri Lanka Frogmouth?
- The Sri Lanka Frogmouth is a small sized bird weighing about 52 g.
- Where can you see a Sri Lanka Frogmouth?
- The Sri Lanka Frogmouth occurs in 2 countries, including India and Sri Lanka.
- What birds look similar to a Sri Lanka Frogmouth?
- The Sri Lanka Frogmouth is most easily confused with the Blyth's Frogmouth, the Hodgson's Frogmouth and the Philippine Frogmouth.
- Is the Sri Lanka Frogmouth endangered?
- The Sri Lanka Frogmouth is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Sri Lanka Frogmouth for real
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