Great Potoo

Overview

Great Potoo (Nyctibius grandis) is a species of Potoos (Nyctibiidae) in the order Potoos. A bizarre nocturnal bird that perches upright like a broken branch by day, with cryptic bark-like plumage and huge yellow eyes; flies out at night to catch large insects; call is a haunting wail.

Scientific Classification

Genus: Nyctibius; binomial: Nyctibius grandis; authority: (Gmelin, JF, 1789). Typical size: 40-55cm. Average lifespan: 10-20 years.

Distribution

Breeding range: Middle America and South America.

Conservation Status

This taxon is listed as Extant (living) in the IOC World Bird List.

Remarks

Includes guatemalensis; treat as monotypic (Cleere 1998).