© Luke Seitz
© Carlos Echeverría
© Dave Curtis
© David Lang

Great Potoo Nyctibius grandis

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Identification

POWERED BY MERLIN

A monstrous nightbird, superficially similar to an owl but not related. Pale mottled gray with large head; larger than other potoos and lacks a dark mustache stripe. Well camouflaged and difficult to spot; most often seen roosting on a horizontal limb during the day (less often on a broken off snag like other potoos). Found in forested areas and edges. Active at night, when it feeds on large insects. Listen for its terrifying call, a harsh descending scream.

POWERED BY MERLIN