Spot the Tawny Frogmouths | Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Conservation Status Least Concern
Distribution Throughout most of Australia, including Tasmania
Life Span 15-20 years
Gestation About 26-28 days

Meet Cait and Kathryn, the Tawny Frogmouths

Think you’ve spotted an Owl on your mailbox or post fence? Take a closer look, it might be a Tawny Frogmouth! These gentle, tree-branch imposters are actually closer related to Kookaburras than Owls and are pros at sitting still and blending in.

They're got a huge mouth (we’re talking really big!) and they use it in a pretty clever way. The inside is bright yellow, so when they open up wide, bugs are drawn right in and dinner is served. It's one of nature's weirdest, coolest tricks.

Here you can find a pair of Tawny Frogmouths, Cait and Kathryn. Despite their lovely names, they can seem a little grumpy at times. They're not actually grumpy, just very serious about their naps. They’ve been with us a while and have plenty of personality, so come and say hi to them!

Fun Fact

Tawny Frogmouth parents share the load during incubation, with dad looking after the eggs during the day and mum taking over at night. When chicks hatch, they look like a big, fluffy cotton balls... with attitude.

See Tawny Frogmouths

Map Locations

S11

Best time to see me

Anytime (if you can spot us)

See More Animals

This Way

Jingeri – Hello

We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the greater Yugambeh language region, the Country on which Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Hospital are situated today. We recognise their continuing connections to the land, sky, waters (waterways), and wildlife. We thank them for caring for this Country and its ecosystems.

We celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and we pay our respect to Elders past and present.

Tawny Frogmouth