Tawny frogmouths are native to wooded areas of Australia and Tasmania, and they are unusual noismakers. They do not sing or hoot but instead grunt, making a strange "oom oom" sound that some even say sounds like a growl!

The tawny frogmouth is nocturnal, but though frogmouths may look like owls, the two species are not closely related. Because they are nocturnal, however, they sleep during the day as owls do. Their coloration provides exceptional camoflage, and when sleeping they are apt to blend in so well they may go unnoticed or be mistaken for tree stumps!

What do Frogmouths eat?
Frogmouths earn their name partly from their large, unusually-shaped beaks. These beaks help them easily catch and eat their prey, which includes insects, scorpions, and occasionally even small mammals such as mice. The birds are "ground feeders," meaning they do not fly and swoop down on their prey but instead sit near the ground, on a stump or low branch, until prey comes to them.

Are Frogmouths endangered?
No. The tawny frogmouth is a common bird in Australia, and it can be found from time to time in people's backyards and perched on their roofs.