The Papuan frogmouth ( Podargus papuensis) is a species of bird in the family Podargidae, found in the Aru Islands, New Guinea, and in Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia.
Taxonomy
The species was originally described by zoologist Jean René Constant Quoy and naturalist Joseph Paul Gaimard in 1830.
The three subspecies are P. p. papuensis, P. p. baileyi, and P. p. rogersi.
Description
The Papuan frogmouth is the largest of
in terms of length. Average sizes indicate that it only falls behind the
great potoo and
oilbird (if the latter is a true member of the order) among the largest species in the order
Caprimulgiformes. On average these birds are about , with a range of . This species was found to average in males and in females, with a total range of .
The
tawny frogmouth is smaller on average than this but is capable of reaching higher maximum weights. The Papuan frogmouth has a bulbous bill, red eye, cream eyebrow, long tail and dark wings. The male of the species is slightly larger, darker and marbled in appearance. The female is more rufous in appearance.
P. p. baileyi is smaller, and darker. P. p. rogersi is larger and paler.
Similar species include the tawny frogmouth. The Papuan frogmouth is larger, has red eyes, a longer tail, and darker wings.
Distribution and habitat
It is found in the
Aru Islands,
New Guinea, and Cape York Peninsula.
This species' natural habitat is subtropical or tropical, moist, lowland .
Behaviour
Call
The call is a resonant 'ooom' or a laughing hoot. It is usually heard after dusk and before dawn.
[
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Breeding
Breeding takes place from August to January.Graham Pizzey (1997). 020718013X, HarperCollinsPublishers. 020718013X
Feeding
The Papuan frogmouth is strictly nocturnal. It hunts for large on the ground from dusk.
The Papuan frogmouth may secrete a substance in its mouth that attracts flies.[ Online at the Internet Archive.] According to a number of observers, it is able to wait with its mouth open and flies enter to investigate the odor.
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