Tawny frogmouth lying on the ground, then flying away. Part 1 of 2

We have a pair of tawny frogmouths that live in and around our garden in Cremorne (between two busy roads). They have various perches in the area, their breeding nest is located in a tree on the nature strip, and they regularly fly through our yard at night. We hear them calling out to each other from time to time, and we have seen three seasons of breeding - year one with four fledgings, year two with one, and this year with an unsuccessful effort, the nest being left and trashed in early November. Not sure whether that caused the egg to disappear, or was as a result of the egg failing, or being somehow victim to nature.

Enough background. Last Saturday, 9th January 2010, one of the birds was perched in one of our tall palm trees. It was warm bordering on hot - about 32 C. Without warning, while I was having a late lunch just after 14:35, the bird dropped out of the tree, in controlled flight, and landed on the (quite hot) pavers. Wings spread, although not fully, head down and tail out. It stayed very still like that for around a minute, by which time we had quietly gathered the camera. It sensed us, so slowly stuck its head up, but still lying flat otherwise. They are very familiar with us, and although only a metre away, almost at our feet, didn't move. Concerned, we thought it might have overheated. See Part 2.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Tawny frogmouth
• heat
• Cremorne
• backyard
• lying on ground
• camouflage position
• perch
• palm tree
• wings spread
• playing dead
• owl

[RobbyGMac]

LOL - yep - I am sure he was wondering "WTF?". Have not repeated the exercise, and they are still with us. Have had two mating cycles since, and the latest fledging has only just headed off on his own.

[maddawgqeiwfje]

sometimes i see birds doing this at my place... one possible reason for this behaviour may be that they are trying to get rid of the bird lice. sometimes when my chickens have an infestation, they will lie on the concrete, on their side with their wings outstretched, similar to what the frogmouth is doing in your vid. any other ideas?

i do like the frogmouths, they are quite tame (see my vid entitled "i tickle da bird").

[RobbyGMac]

You are quite correct. I contacted Taronga Zoo about the behaviour as I was concerned the bird was sick. However, they reassured me it was perfectly normal, and a way to air out the feathers (particularly their wings) which can become a home for many insects and parasites after a while. The heat helps to keep these nasties at bay. What was amazing was the bird chose to do it in front of me. I keep a very close paternal eye on them so they are used to me, but they are anything but tame!

[RobbyGMac]

I am surprised that in your video you got so close, even to one not fully grown, as they can get quite narky when that happens, and they have a little known but extremely painful defensive mechanism which involves launching a special type of very accurate excrement at would be attackers. I found this out inadvertently once when I unknowingly walked under one perched immediately above me. I have a Peter Garrett cut, so it scored a direct and very painful, messy hit!

[RobbyGMac]

This prompted me to study them a little more to understand their behaviour. Fascinating animals, and really quite beautiful. And they fly completely silently, which is eerie, but extremely graceful.

[patrontequila1234]

when i saw the thumbnail i was all like "RIO?!?!?!?!?"

[alienkilla22]

*pours water* *tawny gets up*

" Did you just pour fucking water on me!! "

[alienkilla22]

@yuni322 yeah my sister had one on her car one night, but thats all i have really seen of them

[CanadianReich]

well hes all fanned out so im guessing he is either warming himself up or cooling himself down.......eh?

[Tactual]

We have wild ones in our area they even land on our back verandah in the afternoon and we can feed them mince meat

[yuni322]

i seen one of those in austrailla

[rock127388]

that is just beautifullllllllllllllllllllll­lllllll

[puffherb]

that behavior is called "anting" look it up. nice vid!