Common Potoo
Nyctibius griseus
Embed This Widget
Add the script tag and a data attribute to embed this widget.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/birdfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<div data-birdfyi="bird" data-slug="nyctibius-griseus"></div>Embed via iframe for maximum compatibility.
<iframe src="https://birdfyi.com/iframe/bird/nyctibius-griseus/" width="420" height="400" frameborder="0" style="border:0;border-radius:10px;max-width:100%" loading="lazy"></iframe>Paste this URL in WordPress, Medium, or any oEmbed-compatible platform.
https://birdfyi.com/bird/nyctibius-griseus/Add a dynamic SVG badge to your README or docs.
[](https://birdfyi.com/bird/nyctibius-griseus/)Use the native HTML custom element.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/birdfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<birdfyi-bird slug="nyctibius-griseus"></birdfyi-bird>About
A medium-sized potoo (33-38 cm) widespread across Central and South America. Grey-brown plumage provides outstanding camouflage on tree stumps. Nocturnal insectivore with enormous eyes and wide gape. Famous for its eerie, descending mournful cry that carries through tropical forests at night.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 51.3 cm | 20.2 in |
| Weight | 165.66666666666666 g | 5.84 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Cryptic grey-brown upperparts with intricate black, buff, and white streaking; underparts pale with brown shaft streaks; large yellow eyes with slit pupils; polymorphic—some individuals more rufous-brown; masterful bark-mimic when roosting.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Found across tropical South America east of the Andes south to Bolivia and Argentina. Resident in forest edge, savanna woodland, and open areas.
Diet & Feeding
Strictly nocturnal insectivore; hunts from a upright perch by detecting flying moths and large beetles with large light-sensitive eyes.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: NO. Incubation: 30-33 days. Fledging: 40-47 days.
Clutch Size
1
Sound
Song
Haunting, descending 'POOR-me-ONE'; mournful wail of 5-6 notes; iconic sound of Neotropical nights; calls from high snag; female answer slightly higher-pitched
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Family | Nyctibiidae (Potoos) |
| Genus | Nyctibius |
| Species | Nyctibius griseus |
Distribution
Common Potoo has been recorded in 4 countries.
{# Distribution Map — simplified SVG world map with highlighted countries. Expects `country_codes` variable: list of ISO alpha-2 codes (e.g. ["US", "CA", "MX"]). Uses Alpine.js to toggle classes on country paths. #}countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Common Potoo eat?
Where does the Common Potoo live?
Is the Common Potoo endangered?
How does the Common Potoo nest?
What does the Common Potoo sound like?
How big is the Common Potoo?
What order and family does the Common Potoo belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Nyctibiidae family