Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

Marbled Frogmouth

Podargus ocellatus

The Marbled Frogmouth, Podargus ocellatus, is a captivating bird belonging to the family Podargidae. This species, first described by naturalists Jean René Constant Quoy and Joseph Paul Gaimard in 1830, exhibits a remarkable plumage that blends seamlessly with its forest surroundings.

Identification Tips

To identify the Marbled Frogmouth, look for its distinctive mottled plumage, which provides excellent camouflage against the forest canopy. The bird's cryptic appearance is further enhanced by its habit of perching motionless on tree branches with its beak pointed skyward, mimicking the form of a broken branch.

Habitat

This species thrives in the lush subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and montane forests, where the dense foliage offers both shelter and hunting grounds.

Distribution

The Marbled Frogmouth is found across a range of locales, including the Aru Islands, New Guinea, and Queensland. Within Queensland, the plumed frogmouth subspecies, is particularly prevalent in the Conondale ranges.

Behaviour

Nocturnal by nature, the Marbled Frogmouth is a ground feeder that transforms during the day into an inconspicuous part of the forest architecture. It has adapted to the tropical climate with lower heart and respiration rates than typical for birds of its size, and employs panting as an efficient cooling mechanism during periods of hyperthermia.

Similar Species

Solomon's Frogmouth, Rigidipenna inexpectatus was once considered a subspecies of the Marbled Frogmouth and shares some similarities. However, it has since been reclassified into its own genus.

Conservation status

The IUCN lists the Marbled Frogmouth as Least Concern, but the species faces threats from land clearing, inappropriate fire regimes, timber harvesting, and potential impacts of climate change. In Queensland, the species is considered vulnerable, with estimates of around 800 pairs remaining in the Conondale ranges. Its specialized habitat requirements and habitat reduction may impact its survival.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Marbled Frogmouths on Birda

Photos

More Frogmouths

A photo of a Hodgson's Frogmouth (Batrachostomus hodgsoni) , male

Hodgson's Frogmouth

Batrachostomus hodgsoni
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Bryan C
Clean and easy to use
Really enjoying this app, it's clean and easy to use. I love the ease of being able to add those one-off birds without starting a whole checklist. I also like the social aspect, like the parts of my Facebook I like, without the ads and junk, just birds. Can't wait to see it become more populated.
SW H
Wonderful App
Birda is my go to app for keeping records of my bird sightings and sessions. It has fantastic information which is great at aiding identification. With all the updates that are coming in the new year, this app is something special.
Pdydhdrexgi
Fantastic App
This is a really lovely app, for everyone interested in birds - from newbies to old hands. There is a very friendly feel to the community and you will genuinely learn a lot as you record your sightings and photos. There are lots of badges and competitions to keep you engaged, and a host of really useful features.
Madstherangers
A mordern game changer
Birda is an awesome app, its updated the world of birding to the modern day with a fun and easy to use app. It’s engaging and allows positive interaction with fellow bird lovers!
Marlster24
Very Wholesome App
Joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😄
David C
Very knowledgeable group
Nice friendly birding community. Very knowledgeable group with a willingness to help.
Marlster24
Recommend for any bird watcher
Very wholesome app: I joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😃
Dunners12345
Great App
Great app to use for logging and communicating with others who are interested in birds
Hip An
Fantastic
Really enjoying Birda where I live i have a lot of Red kites really hard to photograph but I can video are you planning some place on the app where us Birda can post vids🦉🦅
Dan R
Great app for bird fanatics
Great app for bird fanatics - very user friendly and a perfect place to share sightings.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.