WEST BRIGHTON — Call it shock and caw.
A 7-month-old male Tawny Frogmouth, a nocturnal Australian species that resembles an owl, is expected to swoop into the Staten Island Zoo, officials announced on Twitter on Thursday.
The Tawny Frogmouth has a large mouth that helps it to catch insects — which make up its primarily diet, according to the West Brighton zoo's general curator Dr. Marc Valitutto.
The bird also has the ability to camouflage itself and look like a tree branch to stay safe during the day, Valitutto said.
"The Staten Island Zoo is delighted to add this species to the collection to broaden the variety of animals presented to the community," Valitutto said.
Aside from the 7-month-old male, the zoo will also receive a young female Tawny Frogmouth from the St. Louis Zoo for breeding and eventual exhibition, Valitutto said.
