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
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?
