Common Potoo vs Northern Potoo
Nyctibius griseus compared with Nyctibius jamaicensis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Common Potoo | Northern Potoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nyctibius griseus | Nyctibius jamaicensis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Nyctibiidae | Nyctibiidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 51.3 cm (20.2 in) | 58.0 cm (22.8 in) |
| Weight | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) | 260.425 g (9.19 oz) |
| Diet | Strictly nocturnal insectivore; hunts from a upright perch by detecting flying moths and large beetles … | Nocturnal sit-and-wait predator; sallies from a fixed perch to capture large flying insects, especially moths … |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Common Potoo
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
Northern Potoo
Loud, mournful 'waaah' or 'pow-wow'; descending wail from Caribbean forest; calls persistently at night from tall perch; similar to Common Potoo but slightly deeper
Geographic Range & Migration
Common Potoo
Found across tropical South America east of the Andes south to Bolivia and Argentina. Resident in forest edge, savanna woodland, and open areas.
Northern Potoo
Found from Mexico and Jamaica through Central America. Resident in open woodland, forest edge, and semi-open habitats up to 1,500 m elevation.
Conservation Status
Common Potoo
Northern Potoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Common Potoo
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.
Northern Potoo
Grey-brown upperparts with complex black and buff vermiculations; underparts pale grey with dark brown streaks; large yellow eyes; smaller and paler than Common Potoo; some individuals show more tawny-brown tones.
About These Birds
Common Potoo
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.
Northern Potoo
A medium-sized potoo (38-46 cm) found from Mexico through Central America and the Caribbean. Pale grey-brown plumage provides excellent camouflage against tree bark. Nocturnal insectivore with large eyes adapted for night vision. Known for its haunting, descending whistled song.