Common Potoo vs Andean Potoo
Nyctibius griseus compared with Nyctibius maculosus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Common Potoo | Andean Potoo |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nyctibius griseus | Nyctibius maculosus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Nyctibiidae | Nyctibiidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 51.3 cm (20.2 in) | 54.2 cm (21.3 in) |
| Weight | 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) | 174.0 g (6.14 oz) |
| Diet | Strictly nocturnal insectivore; hunts from a upright perch by detecting flying moths and large beetles … | Perch-hunting nocturnal insectivore targeting large moths, beetles, and occasional bats in extended sallying flights from … |
| 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
Andean Potoo
Mournful wailing whistle; similar to Common Potoo but calls from Andean forest at higher elevations; slightly slower and lower-pitched; haunting descending phrase
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.
Andean Potoo
Found in the Andes from Venezuela and Colombia south to Bolivia at 1,500–3,400 m. Resident in montane cloud forest and forest edge. Uncommon.
Conservation Status
Common Potoo
Andean 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.
Andean Potoo
Dark brown upperparts with bold black and buff spotting forming mottled pattern; underparts brown with buff and white barring; more heavily spotted above than Common Potoo; Andean montane habitat reflected …
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.
Andean Potoo
A medium-sized potoo (33-38 cm) of Andean cloud forests from Venezuela to Bolivia, at elevations of 1,000-3,000 m. Darker plumage than Common Potoo with bolder markings. Nocturnal insectivore. A poorly known montane species; limited ecological information available.