Tale Of A Tail

[Heather]

How's that for service Ross? You learn something every day on this site!! I always thought they were an owl too. So there you go. We get them here and I love to hear them at night.

With their nocturnal habit and owl-like appearance, Tawny Frogmouths are often confused with owls, but are actually more closely related to the nightjars. Their feet are weak however, and lack the curved talons of owls.

http://australianmuseum.net.au/Tawny-Frogmouth

[r.magnay]

Thanks Heather....I just love being proved right.....for a change

[Heather]

You are SO clever and wise Ross!

[Vic Jefferies]

Yes Stephen your work was not only mentioned but quite some time was devoted to it!

[Stephen Whiteside]

Hmm. What did they say, Vic?

[Dave Smith]

The Tawny Frogmouth, Podargus strigoides, is an Australian species of frogmouth, a type of bird found throughout the Australian mainland, Tasmania and southern New Guinea. The Tawny Frogmouth is often mistaken to be an owl. Many Australians refer to the Tawny Frogmouth by the colloquial names of "Mopoke" or "Morepork", which usually are common alternative names for the Southern Boobook. Frogmouths are not raptorial birds.

Tawny Frogmouth.jpg

[Stephen Whiteside]

Thanks, Dave. The growing consensus would seem to be then, that either an owl or a frogmouth is the culprit here - or a cat!

[Neville Briggs]

Great picture Dave. One of my favourite bush animals, the frogmouth.

Frogmouths are not raptorial birds.

I think Stephen, that means they don't don't attack animals in the way eagles, hawks or owls would.
A cat or a fox is maybe still the most likely suspect.

[Stephen Whiteside]

Thanks, Neville.

[Heather]

Aren't they gorgeous looking creatures - so much character!