Great Potoo vs Common Potoo
Nyctibius grandis comparé à Nyctibius griseus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Great Potoo | Common Potoo |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Nyctibius grandis | Nyctibius griseus |
| Ordre | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Famille | Nyctibiidae | Nyctibiidae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longueur | — | — |
| Envergure | 74,8 cm (29.4 in) | 51,3 cm (20.2 in) |
| Poids | 492,0 g (17.35 oz) | 165,66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Nocturnal insectivore and occasional small vertebrate predator; hunts from perch by sight, targeting large moths … | Strictly nocturnal insectivore; hunts from a upright perch by detecting flying moths and large beetles … |
| Taille de la couvée | 1 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Great Potoo
Loud, haunting 'BWAAAOW'; booming wail; very large bird produces deep, resonant, mournful cry; carries far through tropical forest at night; deeply unsettling sound
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
Geographic Range & Migration
Great Potoo
Found from Mexico and Trinidad south through Central America and South America to Argentina. Resident in forest edge and woodland up to 1,500 m.
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.
Statut de conservation
Great Potoo
Common Potoo
How to Tell Them Apart
Great Potoo
Predominantly greyish-white with intricate black and brown vermiculations and streaks; underparts paler with fine dark freckling; large orange-yellow eyes; mimics broken branch when perched upright; largest potoo species.
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.
About These Birds
Great Potoo
The largest potoo (48-60 cm) with enormous eyes and a massive gape. Pale grey-brown plumage with bold streaks and vermiculations. Found in humid forests from Mexico to Brazil. Nocturnal insectivore with an extraordinary, deeply booming growling call. Perches upright on branches by day.
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.