The general plumage of the Tawny Frogmouth is silver-grey, slightly paler below, streaked and mottled with black and rufous. A second plumage phase also occurs, with birds being russet-red. The eye is yellow in both forms, and the wide, heavy bill is olive-grey to blackish.
They are nocturnal birds, meaning they are active at night. During the day they are camouflaged and often appear to be a branch or part of a tree.
Contrary to popular belief, frogmouths are not related to owls. They are among the most common and approachable carnivorous nocturnal birds in the region. The Tawny Frogmouth can be seen in almost any habitat type except the denser rainforests and treeless deserts.
