The Philippine Frogmouth was one of the birds we especially hoped to see on this trip. Frogmouths have always been among our favorite nocturnal birds, and this became our third encounter with the group after previous sightings in Tabin, Malaysia, and Cairns, Australia.
A Nest Surprisingly Close to the Road
This time, the pair had built a nest only about ten meters from the roadside, making it the closest frogmouth observation we have ever experienced.
The brown individual sitting on the nest was the female, while the slightly grayer bird nearby was the male. Seeing both birds together at such close range was a special experience.
Just a Little Too Late
According to our guide, if we had arrived slightly earlier in the season, the pair would likely have been seen sitting closely together at the nest. Unfortunately, we were just a bit late for that behavior.
Even so, the encounter was deeply satisfying.
A Brief but Respectful Observation
To avoid disturbing the birds, we photographed them for only about one minute before quietly leaving the area.
It was a short encounter, but one that left a lasting impression. Hopefully, we will have another chance to meet these remarkable birds again in the future.
Malaysia Tabin, Frog mouth ↓