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Great Potoo
avocat, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist

Nightjars, potoos & oilbird

Great Potoo

Nyctibius grandis (J.F.Gmelin, 1789)

LC Least Concern

Names

EnglishGreat Potoo
DutchVale Reuzennachtzwaluw
SpanishPájaro Estaca Mayor
Chinese大林鸱
Scientific nameNyctibius grandis (J.F.Gmelin, 1789)

About this species

The great potoo or grand potoo (Nyctibius grandis) is the largest potoo species and is widely distributed in Central and South America.

Much like owls, this species is nocturnal. It preys on large insects and small vertebrates, which it captures in sallies from high perches.

The great potoo is best known for its distinctive moaning growl, which echoes through the Neotropical night.

Read more on Wikipedia · Text: Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Classification

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderNyctibiiformes
FamilyNyctibiidae
GenusNyctibius

In Suriname

306Records in Suriname
25iNaturalist observations
1846First record
2026Latest record

Where it has been recorded

  • Commewijne201
  • Sipaliwini34
  • Nickerie18
  • Paramaribo12
  • Para5
  • Wanica3
  • Brokopondo2
  • Saramacca1

Districts with at least one record that has coordinates. Shaded districts have records.

Records by month

All years combined.

Sources & credits

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