Since it has been quite wet[1] here today, I thought I'd check in on the nesting Tawny Frogmouth.
Poor chap is somewhat damp, but still doing his duty on the nest.
[1] 150mm of rain since midnight, as at time of posting.
#AustralianWildlife#WildOz#TawnyFrogmouth#Bird#Nest
For reference, here's a picture of Tony the Tawny Frogmouth getting a mist bath.
He is not, in fact an owl. He is from Australia and is a type of nightjar, a family shared by whippoorwills.
I adore tawny frogmouths. They look like Muppets. When they're not doing anything and want you to mind your own business, that act like a vertical log. And are very good at it.
#bird#birds#nightjar#TawnyFrogmouth#zoo#animal#animals
Checking in on the youngest local Tawny Frogmouth. Haven't seen the parents around as much lately as would be normal but hopefully the kid getting nicely chonky is a sign they're still both around and involved.
#birds#birding#TawnyFrogmouth#wildlife#wildoz
Found a local Tawny Frogmouth not quite ready to wake up for an night of snacking on insects and roaming the neighbourhood.
Something I’ve found fascinating about them is how supremely unbothered they are. While the local suburban area doesn’t have expansive nature, there’s definitely trees they could go to find some better quiet and privacy from humans. Instead I routinely see them in various trees right next to bike paths busy during their daytime sleeping hours. Even saw one family of them who nested over the fence of a primary school playground!
#birds#birding#TawnyFrogmouth#wildlife#wildoz
Dropped by the muppets. Babies were probably hidden away under the parent’s wings (probably dad’s since it’s day time). Smart since it’s a bit breezy and Tawny Frogmouth nests are flimsy.
Asked some ecologist friends about the nest being occupied for the second time in the season. They said it’s quite possible it’s the same Tawnies as a bunch of south eastern Australian bird species are able to have two clutches of chicks in a season if the conditions are right. Imagine having responsibility for two lots of babies in 4 months!
#birds#birding#tawnyfrogmouth#wildlife