This odd cryptic-looking bird is the only one of its family in its range. Rather like a cross between an owl and a nightjar, but note wide mouth and proportionally smaller eyes.
Intricately mottled and dappled in shades of gray and brown; males are predominantly gray-brown, while females are rufous-toned. A secretive inhabitant of forests with dense understories, often roosting deep in tangles by day. Vocalizations include a horrible scratchy scream and various cooing notes, often given in series.
The Sri Lanka frogmouth, Sri Lankan frogmouth or Ceylon frogmouth (Batrachostomus moniliger) is a small frogmouth found in the Western Ghats of south India and Sri Lanka. Related to the nightjars, it is nocturnal and is found in forest habitats.
The plumage coloration resembles that of dried leaves and the bird roosts quietly on branches, making it difficult to see. Each has a favourite roost that it uses regularly unless disturbed. It has a distinctive call that is usually heard at dawn and dusk. The sexes differ slightly in plumage.
