Tawny frogmouths look exactly like a tree branch. They still for the most of the day and by using this camouflage to avoid predators. They have brown feathers with black streaks through the coat. The underside is a paler grey with white stripes through it.

The tail is brown with white spots across it on top while the base of the tail is the same as the body. Some albino frogmouths have been recorded. Their wide bill is coloured olive grey to black. The inside of the mouth is yellow. Their eyes face forward and are large yellow circles resembling those of an owl. Find out more!

The tawny frogmouth is a carnivorous species. They feed upon nocturnal insects, worms, slugs and snails. The majority of their food is acquired by sitting still and waiting for insects to fly into their open mouth. They are attracted to the beak as the inside is yellow.

In some cases they will hunt bugs flying around lights and also prey on small mammals, reptiles, birds and frogs. Tawny frogmouths are sometimes injured when they collide with cars because they are chasing bugs caught in the headlights.

Australia is the native home of the tawny frogmouth. They are found across the mainland and in Tasmania. Western Queensland, the Nullarbor Plain and the central Northern Territory are the only areas where they are absent.

A pair of tawny frogmouths remain together for life. They will maintain a territory together for over a decade. Breeding occurs between August and December in most areas though in arid areas it occurs in response to heavy rains. At this time the pair roost close together and the male gently grooms the plumage of the female with his beak.