Friday, March 22, 2013

Heard Of The Frogmouth...?



We've about the beauty of Mother Nature a number of times, but today I have something a little different!

This bird may be a tad on the ugly side, but evidently he manages to get the job done. He has a very unique way to hunt, if you ask me!


Venus Flytrap Bird


Frogmouth

Tawny Frogmouths are a bizarre Australian bird that inhabits Eucalyptus woodlands where prey is abundant. Frogmouths resemble owls, but are in fact giant, awesome and rather creepy relatives of the Swifts previously mentioned. Frogmouths do not actively hunt, but rather they stand upright in a tree, perfectly resembling an old branch. When a small bird, frog, lizard or dragonfly approaches, the enormous gaping mouth expands open, quickly drawing in the hapless animal. Within a fraction of a second, the massive bill snaps shut with a loud click that can be heard 100 meters away. The prey is then forced back and swallowed whole. Tawny Frogmouths do not actually do anything except remain invisible and snap shut like a Venus Flytrap, making them among the creepiest birds on Earth.

Looking at this ol' boy's feathers, I can see where his disguise as a branch is pretty good! Even in her homeliest  creatures, nature has a way of making sure that all her creatures have the tools needed for survival. Funny how that works, isn't it?

Coffee out on the patio this morning. How about some cathead biscuits and flour gravy?

12 comments:

Phyllis (N/W Jersey) said...

Mother Nature sure has some strange children! Never heard of this one before. Coffee on the sunny patio with good friends is just what I need today. Cold her at 17 degrees -
where is Spring?

Sixbears said...

Another strange critter from down under. The place is full of them.

Momlady said...

Wow, you do come up with some interesting stuff! Coffee sounds good but I'll pass on the biscuits and gravy, thanks.

Anonymous said...

Australia has the coolest animals on earth, its a pity its located waaaaaaaaay far away, I'd love to visit it.

That bird does look creepy though.

linda m said...

If you take away the eyes and the mouth the bird looks exactly like a branch. Mother Nature is one smart lady except when it comes to remembering to let Spring arrive in WI. Have a great weekend.

JMD said...

Hi HJ, Actually I like that bird. He would come in real handy where I live. Lots of critters running around here.

JO said...

That is one ugly bird. It looks like a wood carving. And yes it blends right in with the tree.

Patio time sounds good so do the biscuits

Dizzy-Dick said...

He must be fairly large in order to swallow other birds. He sure is an odd one!! But he does have a strange beauty to him even though he looks like a dead broken tree limb.

HermitJim said...

Hey Phyllis...
I think we have some of your Spring hiding out here in Texas!

Plenty of strange and beautiful critters out there, that's for sure!

Thanks for dropping by today!


Hey Sixbears...
They do seem to have more than their share, don't they?

It sure is a ediverse world we live in.

Thanks, my friend, for coming by today!


Hey Momlady...
That's OK...I'll eat your part for ya!

I'm glad you found this interesting and that you could come over today!


Hey Anon 7:31...
Australia has always been on my list of places I'd like to go. My biggest problem is I don't like to fly!

Thanks for the visit this morning!


Hey Linda...
It is a pretty good disguise, for sure!

Nature is pretty slick in figuring things out!

Sorry that Spring is taking so long! Many thatnks for coming over today!


Hey JMD...
Probably wouldn't starve, that's for sure!

Wonder if he would eat 'skeeters?

Thanks for the visit today!


Hey Jo...
Ugly about says it all!

I saved you a place, sweetie, so come on over! Thanks!


Hey Dizzy...
Mother Nature can even make ugly look good, I reckon!

Thanks, buddy, for dropping by today!

Recycled Cottage & Garden said...

now what on earth is a cathead biscuit?

HermitJim said...

Hey Lady Hawthorne...
That actually is a name given to homemade biscuits that are very large in size. Given that name because they are traditionally "as large as a "cat's head!"

Just a nick name from a long time ago!

Thanks for coming over today!

Anonymous said...

I grew up around these birds, they truly are remarkable little critters:)