Frogs have a knack for finding the most unusual resting spots. From perching in trees to hiding under rocks or lounging in ponds, their choice of shelter can be surprisingly diverse.
But have you ever thought about finding a frog in a bird’s nest?
In April, Karen Neal from Western Australia made just such a discovery. While inspecting a bird’s nest in her garden, she was surprised to find it occupied — not by a bird, but by a pale brown frog speckled with bright green spots.
“How clever is this frog, making use of an abandoned nest in my garden!” Neal shared in a Facebook post, accompanied by a photo of the frog lounging comfortably in the nest, its half-closed eyes gazing at the camera.
Neal’s post quickly garnered attention, with commenters sharing similar sightings of frogs relaxing in nests.
“Apparently, frogs have a thing for nests,” one person remarked.
Dr. Jodi Rowley, a frog expert from the Australian Museum and the University of New South Wales, admitted she’d never seen this behavior before but found Neal’s post delightful.
“We still have so much to learn about where frogs choose to shelter,” Rowley told The Dodo. “While we often observe frogs being active at night — calling or hopping around — their daytime hideouts remain a mystery for most species. Frogs could be hidden in trees, under leaves, within pond reeds, or beneath rocks and logs. They tend to be elusive when sheltering to avoid predators.”
Rowley added that the nest was likely abandoned since birds are known predators of frogs.
“These photos show how unique frogs can be,” she said. “People usually picture frogs in ponds, but this species likely spends its nights in the water and its days basking in the sun inside sturdy, empty bird nests nestled in trees. It’s a beautiful glimpse into their adaptability and charm.”