Muppet-like chicks hatch at sanctuary

By Dean Murray

A pair of cute Muppet-like birds has hatched at a sanctuary.

The Tawny Frogmouth chicks are the fourth clutch for mom Tiny and dad Kermit at Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria, Australia.

The new arrivals hatched three days apart in September and keeper Louise Tegg says Tiny and Kermit are already attentive parents.

She said: "Kermit does the bulk of the work during the day. He will sit on the nest, feeding those chicks regularly and then mom will swap in to take care of the chicks in the afternoon. Then they do regular change overs at night."

Despite their supreme parenting skills, keepers have needed to lend an extra hand.

Louise says: "Tawny Frogmouths are not the most amazing nest builders. They tend to just throw a few sticks together in a crosshatch and hope for the best. So, we’ve reinforced the nest to keep the chicks nice and safe."

The youngsters are rapidly gaining weight with their parents providing plenty of insects to eat, including mealworms, cockroaches and even a Huntsman spider.

Regular weight checks allow keepers to ensure the chicks are growing properly, that their feathers are coming in and they are healthy during their early development.

The Tawny Frogmouth is known for its funny appearance, resembling a bedraggled feather duster with wide, bulging yellow eyes and a wide, froglike mouth that gives it a perpetually grumpy or surprised expression.

Although they are often mistaken for owls due to their nocturnal habits and owl-like appearance, Tawny Frogmouths belong to the nightjar family.