Zoo director says someone may have taken missing bird

While the Honolulu Zoo continues to look for a third missing bird, the zoo’s director says he suspects the bird may have been taken.

"If the bird had gotten out … I think that it would probably have stayed around here, and it’s not here, so I’m just making the assumption that somebody grabbed the frogmouth," said Zoo Director Manuel Mollinedo today. He said staff are following up with reported sightings because the person who took the bird may have decided to let it go.

Staff most recently checked a report from officials at Ewa Beach Elementary School on Wednesday morning, but the bird turned out to be a juvenile night heron.

Mollinedo said the tawny frogmouth, which is native to Australia, was hand-fed and docile, which would be another reason why someone would want to take it. He said the bird would have to learn to hunt on its own, but it could catch insects just by leaving its large mouth open at night. The bird has a large head with brownish-grey feathers and a frog-like mouth.

Three birds were reported missing after vandals cut holes in 24 bird cages at the zoo more than two weeks ago. Two birds have been returned.