Animalia Life
Nyctibius griseus
TAXONOMY
Caprimulgus griseus Gmelin, 1789, Cayenne. Two subspecies.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Common potoo; French: Ibijau gris; German: Urutau-
Tagschlдfer; Spanish: Nictibio urutaъ.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
13–16 in (33–41 cm); 5–7 oz. (145–202 g). Plumage varies
from reddish brown to gray-brown. Sexes are similar.
DISTRIBUTION
Central and South America from Costa Rica and Panama south
to Uruguay.
HABITAT
Forest, woodland, plantations, and savanna with scattered trees.
BEHAVIOR
Roosts singly and quietly on branch during day. Active at
night, when song of four to seven whistled notes is emitted.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Feeds on insects, including beetles, moths, grasshoppers, bugs,
and termites, caught by sallying from perch.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Lays single egg in depression in sloping branch or near forking
branches. Incubation by both sexes, lasts for 30–33 days.
Young brooded by either parent when small, fledging period
variously estimated as 40–51 days.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Like other potoos, the subject of myths and superstitions in
some rural areas.
Photo Gallery of - Gray potoo
