Northern Potoo
A species of Potoos Scientific name : Nyctibius jamaicensis Genus : Potoos
Northern Potoo, A species of Potoos
Botanical name: Nyctibius jamaicensis
Genus: Potoos
Content
Description General Info
Photo By dominic sherony , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
It is a fairly large bird with a length of 38-46 centimetres. It has a long tail, long pointed wings, large head, very short legs and a small bill with a large gape. It is most commonly seen perched motionless in an upright position on branches or posts. The plumage is grey-brown with an intricate pattern of black, grey and cream markings. The cheeks are pale with a dark malar stripe below them. The large eye has a yellow iris which can shine red in light at night. The bird's calls are hoarse and guttural. The common potoo is virtually identical in appearance, but has a very different voice consisting of a series of mournful, wailing whistles. The great potoo is larger and paler, with no dark malar stripe. 
Size
38 - 46 cm
Nest Placement
Tree
Feeding Habits
Northern Potoo predominantly consumes moths, coleopterans, and occasionally small birds. It employs nocturnal hunting techniques, catching prey mid-air with its large mouth. Northern Potoo showcases specialized feeding adaptations, such as sallying from a perch to capture flying insects in darkness.
Habitat
The northern Potoo typically resides in diverse habitats, ranging from both humid and arid forests to mangroves. These regions broadly encompass open or semi-open landscapes with scattered trees, such as forest edges and fields. The species can adapt to varying vegetation, including dry areas with tall cacti, palms, and short scrub. Moreover, northern Potoo has shown adaptability to modified landscapes, existing within urban peripheries, like golf courses and plantations.
Dite type
Insectivorous
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Distribution Area
It has five subspecies distributed across Middle America and the Caribbean.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Nightjars and Relatives Family
Potoos Genus
Potoos Species
Northern Potoo 
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