Batrachostomus harterti
A master of camouflage, the Dulit Frogmouth (*Batrachostomus harterti*) is a large, enigmatic nocturnal bird measuring 37-43 cm (14.5-17 in) with a robust build. Its plumage is a mosaic of mottled browns, greys, and rufous, perfectly mimicking dead leaves, bark, or moss, making it virtually invisible during its diurnal roost. Key field marks include its unusually large head relative to its body, enormous yellow eyes optimized for low light, a broad, flattened bill, and prominent rictal bristl...
Found in submontane and montane primary rainforests, often near mossy ridges or plateaus. Typically inhabits elevations from 600-1,800 meters (2,000-6,000 ft) on Borneo.
Primarily large nocturnal insects such as moths, beetles, and cicadas, caught in flight. Also preys on small vertebrates like frogs, lizards, and small rodents.
Strictly nocturnal, the Dulit Frogmouth spends its days motionless, often perched at a slight upward angle on a horizontal branch, relying entirely on its exquisite camouflage to avoid detection. Its foraging strategy is that of a classic sit-and-wait predator; it patiently surveys its surroundin...
The Dulit Frogmouth is endemic to the mountainous regions of Borneo, where it is a non-migratory resident. Its distribution spans the submontane and montane primary rainforests of Sarawak and Sabah in Malaysian Borneo, Kalimantan in Indonesian Borneo, and Brunei. This species typically inhabits e...
Near Threatened
- The Dulit Frogmouth is named after Dulit Mountain in Sarawak, where it was first discovered. - Its scientific name *harterti* honors German ornithologist Ernst Hartert. - It is one of the largest species within the *Batrachostomus* genus of frogmouths. - The prominent rictal bristles around its...