Long-tailed Potoo
Nyctibius aethereus
The Long-tailed Potoo (Nyctibius aethereus) is a rare potoo found in 11 countries, weighing about 440 g. The long-tailed potoo is a species of bird in the family Nyctibiidae.
About the Long-tailed Potoo
The long-tailed potoo is a species of bird in the family Nyctibiidae. It is found in every mainland South American country except Chile and Uruguay.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The long-tailed potoo is 42 to 58 cm (17 to 23 in) long and weighs 280 to 447 g (9.9 to 15.8 oz). The nominate subspecies' upperparts are tawny brown. The crown and nape have buff spots and speckles and blackish brown streaks. The mantle, back, and rump are mottled brown and buff and have blackish brown streaks. The tail is graduated and overall brown, with tawny buff barring and brown streaks or vermiculation. Much of the face is tawny and it has a buffish "moustache". The wings are generally brown with broad pale tawny bars. The chin and throat are grayish buff. Voice: The long-tailed potoo's song is "a soft, undulating waa-OO-uh or ra-OOH", and is sung mostly at night and especially on moonlit ones. It also makes "a distinctive series of owl-like hoots or woof notes."
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Long-tailed Potoo?
- The long-tailed potoo is 42 to 58 cm (17 to 23 in) long and weighs 280 to 447 g (9.9 to 15.8 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Long-tailed Potoo?
- The Long-tailed Potoo is a large sized bird weighing about 440 g.
- Where can you see a Long-tailed Potoo?
- The Long-tailed Potoo occurs in 11 countries, including Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Guyana and Argentina.
- What birds look similar to a Long-tailed Potoo?
- The Long-tailed Potoo is most easily confused with the Andean Potoo, the White-winged Potoo and the Northern Potoo.
- Is the Long-tailed Potoo endangered?
- The Long-tailed Potoo is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Long-tailed Potoo for real
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