Long-tailed Potoo
Nyctibius aethereus
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<birdfyi-bird slug="nyctibius-aethereus"></birdfyi-bird>The Long-tailed Potoo (Nyctibius aethereus) is a bird species in the family Nyctibiidae (potoos), within the order Caprimulgiformes (nightjars & swifts). Recorded measurements include a wingspan of 66.4 cm and a weight of 363.5 g. The IUCN Red List classifies it as Least Concern.
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About
A large potoo (43-50 cm) with a notably long graduated tail. Rich brown plumage with dark streaking. Found in humid lowland and montane forests from Central America to Brazil. Nocturnal insectivore, catching large moths and beetles in sallying flights. Rare and seldom observed.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 66.4 cm | 26.1 in |
| Weight | 363.5 g | 12.82 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Dark brown overall with heavy blackish streaks and pale buff mottling; underparts barred brown and buff; notably long tail projects well beyond wing tips; darker and browner than Great Potoo with proportionally longer tail.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Found in disjunct populations in eastern Brazil, the Amazon basin, and the Guiana Shield south to Bolivia. Resident in humid forest and forest edge.
Diet & Feeding
Strictly nocturnal; waits motionless on a perch then sallies to catch large flying insects, mainly moths and beetles.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: NO. Incubation: 21-28 days. Fledging: 17-29 days.
Clutch Size
1
Sound
Song
Wailing, melancholy 'waaaa-waaaa'; descending mournful notes; calls from high forest canopy at night; lower and more drawn out than Common Potoo; eerie nocturnal sound
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Family | Nyctibiidae (Potoos) |
| Genus | Nyctibius |
| Species | Nyctibius aethereus |
Distribution
Long-tailed Potoo has been recorded in 4 countries.
countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Long-tailed Potoo eat?
Where does the Long-tailed Potoo live?
Is the Long-tailed Potoo endangered?
How does the Long-tailed Potoo nest?
What does the Long-tailed Potoo sound like?
How big is the Long-tailed Potoo?
What order and family does the Long-tailed Potoo belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Nyctibiidae family