Gould's Frogmouth

Overview

Gould's frogmouth (Batrachostomus stellatus) is a nocturnal bird in the family Podargidae. It is one of twelve species in the Batrachostomus genus, and its common name honours the English ornithologist and artist John Gould.

Identification

• Medium-sized bird measuring 21 to 25 cm and weighing 47 to 48.5 g.
• Mostly brown plumage with a white collar, scattered white spots on the wing coverts, and oval whitish spots on the underparts, occurring in light and dark morphs.
• Females possess darker reddish-brown colouring, brown irises, and yellowish legs, while males have yellow irises and pinkish legs.

Habitat

Found exclusively in Southeast Asia, specifically Brunei, parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Southern Thailand, with highest concentrations in Malaysia and Singapore. The species inhabits undisturbed tropical rainforests with native trees, typically in lowland areas up to 500 metres in elevation.

Diet

Gould's frogmouths are insectivores that feed on various types of moths, specific beetles, and locusts.

Did you know?

The species is categorised as Near Threatened by the IUCN, with populations in Southern Thailand facing local extinction due to the rapid destruction of lowland forests.