Northern Potoo vs Andean Potoo

Nyctibius jamaicensis comparado con Nyctibius maculosus

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Atributo Northern Potoo Andean Potoo
Nombre científico Nyctibius jamaicensis Nyctibius maculosus
Orden Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Familia Nyctibiidae Nyctibiidae
Estado de conservación Least Concern Least Concern
Longitud
Envergadura 58,0 cm (22.8 in) 54,2 cm (21.3 in)
Peso 260,425 g (9.19 oz) 174,0 g (6.14 oz)
Dieta Nocturnal sit-and-wait predator; sallies from a fixed perch to capture large flying insects, especially moths … Perch-hunting nocturnal insectivore targeting large moths, beetles, and occasional bats in extended sallying flights from …
Tamaño de la puesta 1 1
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Hábitats compartidos

Northern Potoo only

Ninguno

Andean Potoo only

Ninguno

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Song & Call Comparison

Northern Potoo

Canto

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

Andean Potoo

Canto

Mournful wailing whistle; similar to Common Potoo but calls from Andean forest at higher elevations; slightly slower and lower-pitched; haunting descending phrase

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Geographic Range & Migration

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.

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.

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Estado de conservación

Least Concern

Northern Potoo

Least Concern

Andean Potoo

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How to Tell Them Apart

Northern Potoo

Plumaje

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.

Andean Potoo

Plumaje

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 …

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About These Birds

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.

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.

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