Male Great Potoo (Nyctibius grandis)
Private Ranch
The Pantanal
Near Cuiaba
Brazil
This has to be the strangest bird I've ever photographed. I also got a shot of the female who was next to him on the tree. She is shown in the first comment section.
The great potoo (Nyctibius grandis) is a near passerine bird, both the largest potoo species and the largest member of the order Caprimulgiformes (nightjars and allies). They are also one of seven species in one genus, Nyctibius, located in tropical America.
Much like owls, this species is nocturnal. They prey on large insects and small vertebrates, which they capture in sallies from high perches. Possibly its most well known characteristic is its unique moaning growl that the Great Potoo vocalizes throughout the night, creating an unsettling atmosphere in the Neotropics with its nocturnal sounds.
They range from southern Mexico through northeastern Guatemala and through most of Central America down through South America as far as southeastern Brazil and Bolivia. Due to its large range, the Great Potoo is seen as a species of least concern.
This nocturnal predator is usually seen perched high above the ground while foraging, hawking when prey is spotted. After the pounce, the potoo almost always returns to its previous perch. Normally, during the day it perches upright on a tree stump and is overlooked because it resembles part of the stump; this is a camouflage, not just by coloration, but a camouflage by the setting. The Great Potoo can be located at night by the reflection of light from its eyes as it sits vertical on a post, roost, or angled-tree trunk. Great Potoos are shy and solitary creatures. – Wikipedia
Male Great Potoo (Nyctibius grandis)
Private Ranch
The Pantanal
Near Cuiaba
Brazil
This has to be the strangest bird I've ever photographed. I also got a shot of the female who was next to him on the tree. She is shown in the first comment section.
The great potoo (Nyctibius grandis) is a near passerine bird, both the largest potoo species and the largest member of the order Caprimulgiformes (nightjars and allies). They are also one of seven species in one genus, Nyctibius, located in tropical America.
Much like owls, this species is nocturnal. They prey on large insects and small vertebrates, which they capture in sallies from high perches. Possibly its most well known characteristic is its unique moaning growl that the Great Potoo vocalizes throughout the night, creating an unsettling atmosphere in the Neotropics with its nocturnal sounds.
They range from southern Mexico through northeastern Guatemala and through most of Central America down through South America as far as southeastern Brazil and Bolivia. Due to its large range, the Great Potoo is seen as a species of least concern.
This nocturnal predator is usually seen perched high above the ground while foraging, hawking when prey is spotted. After the pounce, the potoo almost always returns to its previous perch. Normally, during the day it perches upright on a tree stump and is overlooked because it resembles part of the stump; this is a camouflage, not just by coloration, but a camouflage by the setting. The Great Potoo can be located at night by the reflection of light from its eyes as it sits vertical on a post, roost, or angled-tree trunk. Great Potoos are shy and solitary creatures. – Wikipedia