BURUNG KATAK

*Asian Grass Frog / Common Parrot Billed Bird? – Clarifying “Burung Katak”

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Introduction
*“Burung Katak”* (literally “frog bird”) is not a standard English name for a single species. In Indonesian/Malay colloquial usage, _burung katak_ most often refers to *frogmouths* (family *Podargidae*) – nocturnal, cryptic birds that look like a cross between a nightjar and a frog. The most widespread is the *_Large Frogmouth (_Batrachostomus auritus__) of Southeast Asia.

If you meant a different bird (e.g., a mis‑heard name for a parrot or a local name for a frog‑like call), let me know and I’ll adjust. Below is a full 500‑word article on the *Large Frogmouth (Batrachostomus auritus)*.

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Taxonomy & Naming
- *Scientific name:* _Batrachostomus auritus_ (Jerdon, 1840)
- *Family:* Podargidae (frogmouths) – sometimes placed near nightjars (Caprimulgiformes).
- *Genus meaning:* _Batrachostomus_ → “frog‑mouth” (Greek _batrachos_ = frog, _stoma_ = mouth).
- *Common names:* Large Frogmouth, Malay Frogmouth, Borneo Frogmouth.

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Description
- *Size:* 38–43 cm (15–17 in) long.
- *Weight:* 150–200 g (5–7 oz).
- *Plumage:*
- *Male:* Upperparts rufous‑brown with fine black vermiculations; underparts paler, buff‑white with dark streaks.
- *Female:* Slightly duller, more grayish‑brown.
- *Head:* Large, flattened, wide gape (hence “frog‑mouth”).
- *Eyes:* Large, yellow‑orange, excellent night vision.
- *Bill:* Short, hooked, strong; edges serrated for gripping insects.
- *Tail:* Long, rounded, barred with dark bands.
- *Camouflage:* Feather pattern mimics bark or moss, allowing it to blend perfectly when perched upright on a branch.

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Habitat & Distribution
- *Range:*
- *Peninsular Malaysia*, *Thailand (southern)*, *Sumatra*, *Borneo*, *Brunei*, *Philippines (Palawan)*.
- *Elevation:* Lowland to 900 m (3,000 ft) in primary and secondary evergreen forest, peat‑swamp forest, and sometimes disturbed edges.
- *Preference:* Dense understory or mid‑canopy where it can perch horizontally on thin branches.

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Behaviour & Ecology
Diet
- *Insectivorous:* Moths, beetles, grasshoppers, cicadas, small crustaceans.
- *Foraging:* Sits motionless, then darts out with a quick snap of the massive gape; sometimes forages on the ground.

Breeding
- *Season:* Varies by region (often Mar–Jul in Malaysia).
- *Nest:* Small, shallow cup of twigs, moss, spider silk, placed on a horizontal branch 1–3 m above ground.
- *Clutch:* 1–2 white or cream eggs.
- *Incubation:* ~30 days, female incubates by day, male by night.
- *Chicks:* Altricial, covered in white down; fledged ~ 30 days.

Vocalisations
- Low, resonant *“whooo‑whooo”* or frog‑like croak, heard at dusk/night.
- Calls differ between sexes; males louder, females softer trills.

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Conservation Status
- *IUCN Red List:* *Near Threatened (2023)*.
- *Population trend:* Declining due to *habitat loss (logging, oil‑palm conversion)*.
- *Threats:* Fragmentation, disturbance, low reproductive rate.
- *Protection:* Listed on *CITES Appendix II* (trade regulation). Several protected areas (e.g., Taman Negara, Danau Sentarum) hold populations.

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Interesting Facts
- *Camouflage master:* When threatened, it flattens its body, stretches its neck, and mimics a broken branch.
- *Gape size:* Up to 5 cm wide – can swallow prey almost its own size.
- *Nocturnal eyes:* Tapetum lucidum (reflective layer) enhances night vision; eyeshine is bright orange.
- *Monogamous pairs:* Often stay together for multiple breeding seasons.

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Quick Reference Table
Feature Detail
Length 38–43 cm
Weight 150–200 g
Wingspan ~ 55 cm
Lifespan (wild) 5–8 yr (estimate)
Diet Insects, small arthropods
Nest Twig/moss cup on low branch
Clutch 1–2 eggs
IUCN Status Near Threatened
Habitat Lowland evergreen & peat‑swamp forest
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*≈ 510 words*

Sources: Handbook of the Birds of the World (HBW), BirdLife International, IUCN Red List.