Two distinct populations, once regarded as separte species. Extreme north-eastern New South Wales and south-western Queensland, and on Cape York Peninsula and in New Guinea.
Marbled Frogmouth (Podargus ocellatus) [XC436286]
by Marc Anderson from Old Coen Track, Iron Range National Park, Queensland, Australia (song)
Marbled Frogmouth (Podargus ocellatus) [XC435812]
by Marc Anderson from Cook's Hut Camping Area, Iron Range National Park, Queensland, Australia (song)
Nest
A flat platform of twigs on a branch in dense scrub.
Eggs (Guide)
1, rarely 2; dull white; ellipsoidal; 35 - 39 x 26 - 30 mm. Incubation: by both sexes.
Young
Semi-altricial, nidicolous. Fledge in about 31 days.
Subspecies
Podargus ocellatus (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) has been split into Marbled Frogmouth (Podargus ocellatus) and Solomons Frogmouth (Rigidipenna inexpectata) following Cleere et al. (2007).
Subspecies inexpectatus of Solomon Is shows strong superficial resemblance to Large Frogmouth (Batrachostomus auritus), although differs in structural details and lacks white hindneck-collar. Taxonomy of southernmost subspecies plumiferus much confused in past, partly because of dearth of available specimens, leading to over-reliance on descriptions; it has been treated as a subspecies of Papuan Frogmouth (Podargus papuensis) or of Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides), but recent study of specimens and vocalizations leaves little doubt that it is best regarded as a subspecies of present species.
The following 6 subspecies are recognised:
ocellatus Quoy & Gaimard, 1830 - New Guinea, West Papuan islands, islands in Geelvink Bay and Aru Island.
marmoratus Gould, 1855 - Australia, eastern Cape York Peninsula south to the McILwraith Ranges.
plumiferus Gould, 1846 - Australia, south-eastern Qld and north-eastern New South Wales, from Many Peaks Ranges in the north to the Manning River, New South Wales in the south.
meeki Hartert, 1898 - Tagula Island, Louisiade Archipelago.
inexpectatus Hartert, 1901 - Bougainville and Solomon islands. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Solomons Frogmouth (Rigidipenna inexpectata).
intermedius Hartert, 1895 - Trobriand Is and D'Entrecasteaux Is.
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What Bird is That? 1984, Revised Edition, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 14846 5
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