Hodgson’s Frogmouth

Hodgson's frogmouth (Batrachostomus hodgsoni) is a species of bird in the family Podargidae. It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Its natural habitat is temperate forests. The common name is thought to commemorate the British naturalist Brian Houghton Hodgson. This bird is part of the same clade as nightjars are. Members of both clades are nocturnal and they share similar rictal bristles on the bill which they use to know when to close their bill shut on insects as they hawk. This feature is just a hypothesis by scientists who do not completely understand the true use of those bristles yet. Frogmouths differ from its cousins by heavier bills, shorter and more rounded wings and upright posture when perched. == Description == Hodgson's frogmouth is one of the smaller members of the family Podargidae. As an adult, its length ranges between 24.5 and 27.5 centimetres (9.6 and 10.8 in) and it weighs approximately 50 grams (1.8 oz). The plumage is mottled brown and gray, soft and cryptic, resembling tree bark. The physical appearance differs from other species by a heavier black marking above breast as well as no rufous on breast. Hodgson's frogmouth…