The Bird That Can Shapeshift Into A Tree

Welcome back to Bizarre Beasts: Season Zero. We are remastering episodes of Bizarre Beasts that were originally created for Vlogbrothers.
Frogmouths are little shapeshifting birds with absolutely massive mouths.

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[TiggerIsMyCat]

Also, an acquaintance from Australia sent me a photo of a tawny frogmouth chick (with its mouth open), and it was so young, it was literally a ball of downy fluff with MOUTH. 85% mouth.

[seanmcfadden]

I live in Australia and have helped care for injured and orphaned Tawny Frogmouths via WIRES (a wildlife rescue organization in NSW). Just wanted to share that, at least when in care, young Tawny Frogmouths will at least seem to show off that they are learning how to camouflage themselves. They'll actually open their eyes while "being a stick" and will sway if they think you're watching.

[skivvia]

Many years ago we were living in a house with a big old tree next door, and got to watch 4 frogmouth hatchlings/fledgling being raised in the tree. They were so cute, and didn't know they were supposed to be nocturnal. The frequent look on Mum birds' face of 'stop it and go back to sleep' was universal!

[capnstewy]

Surprise gravity is both the best and the worst type of gravity.

[nettlesandsnakes]

I’m losing it over the line “ if Raven had eyes like owls, we’d let them teach kindergarten, ” I would let them teach kindergarten if they knew how to speak!

[NewMessage]

Owls or not, I still give a hoot about 'em!

[finnmchenry]

I've worked in wildlife rescue in Australia, and while I don't have a citation, a far more convincing explanation for their poor nest-building is the idea that pre-european invasion, there were far far more large, old growth eucalyptus trees with big, wide branches. Gravity is much less of an issue when the surface you're building nests on and rasing eggs on is nearly flat. Colonisers cut down huge amounts of trees and preferentially targeted old growths. Microhabitat destruction is a much more convincing explanation for me than evolutionary incompetence. If I can find a citation I'll add it!

[secretaltruism]

I feel proud as an Aussie every time an Australian native animal is mentioned on Bizarre Beasts. And they haven't even reached the middle of the list. Like how crows have learned how to swoop, flip over a cane toad and eat it.

[johappy]

I did not know this pin was glow in the dark! Then we discovered that our Bonnet head, brittle sea star, and platypus pins glow too! It was a very exciting discovery!

[entropic-decay]

another fun family of birds in a similar niche (nocturnal or crepuscular bug-catchers) is Caprimulgidae, or nightjars. One of the things that distinguishes nightjars from frogmouths is that they have very short beaks, instead just... having their mouths go further back.

[the_clawing_chaos]

When I was doing night security, the Tawny Frogmouths used to freak me out when they came into view. Great bird.

[experienceemily]

I went to Australia last year and saw frogmouths at a wildlife refuge. My family was surprised I knew what those "funny looking birds" were and I had learned about them in Hank's original video!

[williandalsoto]

I'm really enjoying this series, and I think this format works even better with Sarah!

[starrywizdom]

Ok, so you've done frogmouths & oilbirds, but HAVE YOU DONE POTOOS? They are my favourite weirdy birdy!

[JayKwell]

I saw these guys at the zoo last week! While looking at them in the nocturnal animals building, I remembered I have their bizarre beast pin on my purse right now. I didn’t know the pin glowed in the dark, so I had a very nerdy moment gushing over it glowing standing next to their exhibit 😂

[puppetstring]

Tbf, while you didn't show owl ears, their ears are in fact genuinely fascinating and I do get excited to talk about them in front of company that will roll their eyes when I start talking about owl ears.

[lillithcollins]

Unrelated to Frogmouths but simply killing that outfit. Amazing.

[Ionee-qf]

1:10 truly inline with the channels name this outfit is absolutely beast im jealous lol

[andgate]

I pointed out one of these in a tree to my daughter...took her about a minute to see it....and completely missed the one sitting right beside it.

[tamberjune]

The Tawny Frogmouth was always where I wanted to go first at the zoo when I was little! ❤❤❤❤