Common Potoo vs Northern Potoo

Nyctibius griseus 比較対象 Nyctibius jamaicensis

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Side-by-Side Comparison

属性 Common Potoo Northern Potoo
学名 Nyctibius griseus Nyctibius jamaicensis
Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Nyctibiidae Nyctibiidae
保全状況 Least Concern Least Concern
体長
翼開長 51.3 cm (20.2 in) 58.0 cm (22.8 in)
体重 165.66666666666666 g (5.84 oz) 260.425 g (9.19 oz)
食性 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 …
一腹卵数 1 1
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

共通生息地

Common Potoo only

None

Northern Potoo only

None

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Song & Call Comparison

Common Potoo

さえずり

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

さえずり

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

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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.

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保全状況

Least Concern

Common Potoo

Least Concern

Northern Potoo

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How to Tell Them Apart

Common Potoo

羽毛

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

羽毛

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.

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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.

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