Tawny Frogmouth Named Australia’s Bird of the Year
The tawny frogmouth, renowned for its remarkable camouflage, has been named Australia’s Bird of the Year for 2025, following three previous near wins.
The competition, which opened on Oct. 6, attracted over 310,000 votes. In the final round, the tawny frogmouth received 11,851 votes. Baudin’s black cockatoo ranked second with 7,688 votes, followed by the gang-gang cockatoo with 6,256. The Willie wagtail placed fourth with 4,947 votes, the bush stone-curlew fifth with 4,370, and the laughing kookaburra narrowly secured sixth with 4,361 ? a margin of just nine votes.
The species’ distinctive appearance contributed to its popularity. Its large yellow eyes and downturned beak give it a perpetually startled expression, while its coloring lends it an incredible ability to blend into its environment. In daylight, when the frogmouth perches upright and narrows its eyes, it appears as part of the surrounding tree. Its silver-gray, streaked plumage closely resembles bark, allowing it to remain virtually undetected.
Nocturnally active, the frogmouth is often mistaken for an owl but is more closely related to nightjars. Its fringed wings facilitate nearly silent flight as it hunts insects and occasionally small lizards or mice. Pairs maintain territories and typically remain bonded for life, communicating with a low, steady call.
Distributed widely across mainland Australia, the species inhabits forests, woodlands, scrub, heathlands, and savannahs, though it is uncommon in dense rainforests and treeless deserts. While classified as “least concern,” the species faces growing threats, including predators, insecticides, rodenticides, and vehicle collisions.
Next time you stand under a tree, take a second look at its branches ? you might be staring into the eyes of Australia’s 2025 Bird of the Year.
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1. What qualities made the tawny frogmouth stand out to voters and earn the title of Australia’s 2025 Bird of the Year?
2. How does the tawny frogmouth’s camouflage ability reflect nature’s creativity and adaptation in the wild?
3. Why is the "Bird of the Year" competition considered important beyond just a popularity contest?
4. What is the significance of the species being classified as "least concern" if it still faces growing threats like insecticides and vehicle collisions?
1. What fascinates you most about the tawny frogmouth’s ability to stay perfectly hidden in plain sight?
2. How would you feel if you spotted a tawny frogmouth blending into a tree during a walk in Australia?
3. What part of the tawny frogmouth’s behavior ? its loyalty, calmness, or camouflage ? do you relate to most personally?
4. If you were to observe the tawny frogmouth in its natural habitat, what details of its behavior or environment would you most want to notice and understand?
The tawny frogmouth, renowned for its remarkable camouflage, has been named Australia’s Bird of the Year for 2025, following three previous near wins.
