Animalia Life

Nyctibius grandis
TAXONOMY
Caprimulgus grandis Gmelin, 1789, Brazil and Cayenne. Two subspecies.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Grand potoo; French: Grand ibijau; German: Riesentagschlдfer; Spanish: Nictibio grande.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
19–23 in (48–57 cm); 12.7–22 oz (360–624 g). The largest member of its genus. Overall color ranges from buff-brown to nearly white; the palest and most variable species of potoo. Sexes are similar.
DISTRIBUTION
Central and South America from southern Mexico to southeastern Brazil.
HABITAT
Forests, woodlands, and plantations.
BEHAVIOR
Roosts high in trees during day, active at dusk and during night. Calls most actively on moonlit nights, giving loud guttural snoring sound from perch that functions in territorial defense.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Sallies for flying prey from an exposed perch, taking mainly insects such as beetles and moths, but sometimes also small bats.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Clutch of a single egg is laid in depression in branch of tree. Incubation by both sexes reported, period unknown. Fledging period of one nestling was at least 55 days.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened overall, but has doubtless declined in many regions because of deforestation.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Subject of mythology and superstition in rural areas.

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