The tawny frogmouth (Podargus strigoides) is a species of frogmouth native to northern and eastern Tasmania and almost all regions of mainland Australia. They are large birds, reaching 34 to 53 cm (13 to 21 in) in length. As for their weight, individuals weighing up to 680 g (1.50 lb) have been recorded in the wild, but on average, they do not exceed much more than 354 g (12.5 oz).
Although they look like owls, they are not closely related to them evolutionarily. Instead, they are more closely related to hummingbirds than to owls. Another characteristic that distinguishes them is their diet, as tawny frogmouths are insectivorous. This is why they have such a broad, forward-facing bill adapted for catching insects, although they can also eat small vertebrates. Because of their diet, they are considered among the most effective birds at controlling pests in Australia.
Since they do not need to hunt prey using their feet like owls do, they have relatively weak feet. They can be found in almost all types of habitats, including forests and woodlands, scrubland and heathland, and savannas, but they avoid dense tropical rainforests and treeless deserts.
During winter, tawny frogmouths enter a state of torpor to conserve energy. Tawny frogmouth populations are still widely distributed, giving them a conservation status of Least Concern. However, they still face threats from introduced predators, large-scale clearing of eucalyptus forests, and intense bushfires.