Spring Frogmouths
After a long slow winter, people-wise, due to obvious reasons, spring is now well on the way here in Canberra and fieldwork is in full swing. There was good rainfall in autumn and winter, and the plants have turned the landscape green. The Tawny Frogmouths Podargus strigoides however have of course stayed in their neutral grey colouring. Like this pair sitting in the sunshine, one above the other.
The male was highest, sitting between grey branches with his head tilted up to the sun.
The female has more red on her collar, the females usually have more red (tawny) in their plumage than the males. In this spot, the red and grey fits well with the red and grey of the tree bark. Do the birds know this, the colour of the background and their plumage, and select roosting sites to suit?
Meanwhile, at another territory, the birds already have eggs and the male was sitting as they do during the day. They share incubation at night when they have to hunt for themselves.
A closer view of the male on the nest, showing trust in his camouflage and 'dead branch' pose for protection.
