Great Potoo

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Semaphore Hill • 26 April 2010

Bird name: Great Potoo
Latin: Nyctibius grandis
Other: Urutau-grande (Br) Mãe-da-lua-gigante
Family: Nyctibiidae
Range: Guatemala to Brazil

This Great Potoo was seen in the Soberania National Park in central Panama, high on a limb near the main road. The species is found in most of tropical Central and South America from Guatemala to southeastern Brazil.

At 50-60 cm, the Great Potoo is the largest of the seven Potoos, and the largest bird in its order. It is nocturnal, preying on large flying insects and sometimes bats. It’s very well camouflaged during the day and difficult to spot.

Slightly reminiscent of Lewis Caroll’s Cheshire Cat.