Frogmouth Relative

Frogmouth Relative

The name "frogmouth" comes from living members of this species, which have a large flattened bill that gives them a huge frog-like gape. This extinct relative (Fluvioviridavis platyrhamphus) has the same short legs and wide beak, which it used to snap up insects and small vertebrates around Fossil Lake. 

Today's frogmouths are nocturnal birds that hunt under cover of darkness. Weak fliers, they typically rest on tree branches during the day.

Specimen:  Fluvioviridavis platyrhamphus, FMNH PA607

Locality:  Fossil Butte Member of Green River Formation

Credit:  © The Field Museum, GEO86416_076d, Photographer Dov Scher