Great Potoo

The Great Potoo, or Nyctibius grandis, stands as the largest member of its genus, a nocturnal avian cloaked in a palette of white, gray, black, and burgundy feathers. Its large head, adorned with sizeable dark brown eyes, sets a stark contrast to the yellow-eyed kin. The bird's wings are elliptically shaped, and its tail, elongated with distinctive white bars crossing laterally, complements its cryptic plumage.

Identification Tips

Observers should note the Great Potoo's impressive size, with a mass ranging from 360 to 650 grams, a length of 480 to 600 millimeters, and an average wingspan of approximately 734.8 millimeters. Its broad beak and rictal bristles are shorter in comparison to its body, aiding in its unique silhouette.

Habitat

This species is adept at blending into dense lowland forests, forest edges, and clearings. It can also be found in foothills up to 1,500 meters, second-growth, and open woodlands, including plantations. Meadows may also play host to this elusive bird, provided there are trees available for its camouflaged perch.

Distribution

The Great Potoo's range extends from southern Mexico, through Central America, and down into South America, reaching as far as southeastern Brazil and Bolivia. Despite its wide distribution, there is little variation in size or plumage across its range.

Behaviour

By day, the Great Potoo remains motionless, perched high above the ground, often mistaken for part of a tree stump due to its remarkable camouflage. At night, it descends to lower perches to hunt, its eyes reflecting light as it sits vertically on posts or angled tree trunks. These solitary creatures are known for their shyness and preference for solitude.

Song & Calls

The Great Potoo is renowned for its haunting nocturnal vocalizations, a unique moaning growl that contributes to the eerie soundscape of the Neotropics after dark.

Breeding

Breeding occurs mainly from February to August, with nests being simple depressions on thick tree branches, high above the ground. A single, slightly spotted white egg is laid, and the chick, once hatched, remains at the nest for approximately two months before fledging.

Diet and Feeding

The Great Potoo's diet consists predominantly of large flying insects such as beetles and katydids, but it may also occasionally consume bats and birds. It hunts by perching on an exposed branch and swiftly capturing prey that flies by, often returning to the same hunting perch nightly.

Conservation status

The IUCN classifies the Great Potoo as a species of Least Concern due to its extensive range. It is generally described as "uncommon," thriving in less disturbed forests and sometimes considered rare at the edges of its range. Habitat destruction through deforestation poses the only significant threat to its conservation.

Effects of Humans

In rural Brazil, the Great Potoo is sometimes hunted for food, though it offers little meat and is challenging to locate. Its feathers are believed to possess powers that promote chastity and ward off seduction, leading to its parts being used in local ceremonies. Consequently, the species tends to be wary of humans.