The Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Sri Lankan Frogmouth or Ceylon Frogmouth (Batrachostomus moniliger) is a small frogmouth found in the Western Ghats of south India and Sri Lanka. Related to the nightjars, they are nocturnal and are found in forest habitats. The plumage resembles that of dried leaves and the birds roost on branches, sitting still and appearing like a dry branch, making them extremely difficult to locate. They however have favourite roosts that they use regularly unless disturbed. They have a distinctive call that is usually heard at dawn and dusk. The sexes differ slightly in plumage.

Sri Lankan Frogmouth

You can see how well camouflaged they can be but luckily my guide at Thattekad knew where these two (one is behind) normally roost.  They weren’t the least bit bothered about our presence.

Sri Lankan Frogmouth Range

This species is found in the Western Ghats of southwest India and Sri Lanka. Its habitat is dense tropical forest usually with dense undergrowthbut sometimes found in more disturbed habitats including plantations.  Use my guide to Getting to Central Asia to plan your trip there to see them and many other birds.

This bird has very interesing brooding behaviour, I’ll let the video speak for itself!