Northern Potoo

The Northern Potoo, Nyctibius jamaicensis, is a nocturnal avian enigma, cloaked in a tapestry of grey-brown plumage with a mosaic of black, grey, and cream. This fairly large bird, stretching 38-46 centimeters in length, boasts a long tail, pointed wings, and a substantial head. Its legs are notably short, and its bill is small yet equipped with a capacious gape. Often found perched in a statuesque, upright stance on branches or posts, the Northern Potoo's large eyes, with yellow irises, can reflect a crimson glow when caught in the beam of a torch at night.

Identification Tips

To distinguish the Northern Potoo from its kin, observe its pale cheeks set against a dark malar stripe. Its calls are distinctively hoarse and guttural, setting it apart from the similar Common Potoo, which utters a series of mournful whistles. The Great Potoo is larger and paler, lacking the dark malar stripe of the Northern Potoo.

Habitat

This species is a denizen of lowland woodlands and scrublands, favoring areas with clearings and scattered trees. It adapts well to human-altered landscapes, sometimes seen around golf courses and urban expanses.

Distribution

The Northern Potoo's realm extends from Mexico to Costa Rica, including the islands of Jamaica and Hispaniola. It is an occasional visitor to Puerto Rico, and its presence in Cuba remains a mystery.

Behaviour

The Northern Potoo is a master of stillness, often remaining motionless for hours. It is a solitary creature, coming alive at dusk to commence its nocturnal pursuits.

Song & Calls

Its vocal repertoire includes a "rough, squalling kwaaah, kwa-kwa-kwa," an "abrupt, emphatic rrah!" and a barking alarm call, each sound adding to the night's mysterious chorus.

Breeding

In a display of simplicity, the Northern Potoo lays a single egg upon a bare, broken branch. Both parents share the duties of incubation and nurturing their young.

Diet and Feeding

A predator of the night sky, the Northern Potoo hunts large insects like moths and beetles. It employs a 'sit-and-wait' strategy, launching from its perch to snatch prey mid-flight with remarkable precision.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the Northern Potoo as Least Concern, with a population exceeding 50,000 mature individuals. However, there is concern as numbers appear to be in decline. Local folklore intertwines with this bird's fate, as the Mopan people believe it to be an omen of death, repelling it with the embers of lighted sticks to protect their families.