The choir invisible
Boreal chorus frogs oft heard, seldom seen
Wednesday, May 14, 2014 06:00 am
Boreal chorus frog
Small frog with three dark stripes on its back and slightly bumpy skin. Often brown or green with a yellow-white or green belly. Vocal sack on throat bulges when calling.
Eyes just barely above the surface of the water in sloughs and ponds, making a loud “prrreeEEEP!” call that sounds like a person running a finger over a comb's teeth.
Occasionally confused with:
Wood frogs, which have vocal sacs behind their shoulder blades, are much quieter, and sound like ducks (“wuk wuk wuk”). Also have a distinct “bandit's mask” over their eyes.
They are technically tree frogs, although they lack the toe pads to climb trees.