The frogmouths (family Podargidae) are a family of birds belonging to the monotypical order Podargiformes. These nocturnal birds roost during the day on the vegetation, hidden while sitting vertically singly or in pairs thanks to their cryptic plumages, sometimes moving their tail sideways like hanging dry leaves. These birds are exclusive to the Old World, with their center of diversity in Australasia but with few species extending through Southeast Asia to the Indian Subcontinent.
The family comprises 16 species belonging to 3 genera. Genus Rigidipenna (1 species) is an odd basal member endemic to the central Solomon Islands. Genus Podargus (3 species) is endemic to Australasia. Genus Batrachostomus (12 species) is found from the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka in the Indian Subcontinent to the Greater Sunda Islands in Indonesia.
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Kerala, India, 5 Jan 2025
Sri Lanka frogmouth
Batrachostomus moniliger
Only member of the family found in the Indian Subcontinent, where it is endemic to a narrow range of foothill forests from Sri Lanka to the Western Ghats. Males and females differ in the tones of the plumage, although both sexes resemble dry leaves. I have observed this species at roost in south India.
Poring Hot Springs near Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, 22 Jul 2024
Sunda frogmouth
Batrachostomus cornutus
Scarce frogmouth of lowland and foothill forest of the Greater Sunda Islands. Unlike other species, it often forages in edge, secondary growth and disturbed areas. Casually bumping into a roosting bird while looking for birds in the understory in Borneo has been one of my top birding experiences.
