Sri Lanka Frogmouth Batrachostomus moniliger Scientific name definitions

Sri Lanka Frogmouth is a small, nocturnal bird found in Sri Lanka and the Western Ghats in India, where it is also the only frogmouth species known to occur. Throughout its distribution, it occurs in dense, evergreen forests across a large altitudinal band, ranging from sea level to ca. 1,200 m above sea level in India, and up to ca. 1,800 m above sea level in Sri Lanka. While the Sri Lanka Frogmouth seems to prefer undisturbed forest, it is also known to inhabit secondary forests and small forested groves near villages and agricultural land. Relying on its cryptic plumage to avoid detection, the species roosts on branches in shade, about 2-6m above the ground, and usually within vegetation cover. At night, they actively forage for insects by gleaning them from branches or picking them up off the ground. They are best detected by their distinctive set of harsh, screeching calls and chucking notes , both of which are usually delivered after dusk. The Sri Lanka Frogmouth was considered local, uncommon, and much more restricted in the past. Only recently, as more birdwatchers have become familiar with its habits and habitats, the species has been found to have a larger range than previously thought. The secretive nature of this species has made it difficult to estimate population numbers and trends, but it is currently not considered to be globally threatened (Least Concern).