Taxonomy
Rigidipenna inexpectata © Brian R Field
Rigidipenna inexpectata is a typical, medium to large sized, cryptic frogmouth showing little sexual dimorphism. Its features include:
- upperparts brownish, speckled buff and black
- wing coverts spotted white or buff
- underparts similar to upperparts but slightly paler and spotted white or buff
- wing length: 195–223mm
- tail length: 160–190mm
- tarsus length: 20.7–31.4mm
- bill length: 164–37.0mm
Juvenile plumage is unknown.
Evolution
The frogmouths have traditionally been divided into 2 genera within the family Podargidae and genetic data not only supports their monophyly but also suggests that their lineages may be quite old.
Analysis of molecular data also reveals that Rigidipenna inexpectata deserves recognition within its own genus and that it might be basal to the other 2 genera.
The Solomon Islands frogmouth now joins an extant species of owl and an extinct species of pigeon as representatives of genera endemic to islands that once belonged to the large Pleistocene island of Greater Bukida (Cleere et al 2006).
Look-alikes
Although similar in appearance to races of Podargus ocellatus, no other frogmouths occur on any of the Solomon Islands, so identification should not be an issue.
