Potoo

Potoo

The potoo is a relative of the nightjar. Like the nightjar and poorwill the potoo has well camouflaged plumage. The feathers on the upper surface are mottled brown, white, grey and black. This nocturnal bird has extremely large yellow or brown eyes. With short legs and long wings and tail the potoo looks like a stuffed toy animal when at rest. Equipped with a wide bill with a 3 inch wide gape, the potoo catches unsuspected insects as it sits motionless on its perch. The largest member of the potoo family reaches 19.5 inches in length. Potoo are found in South and Central America. [BM] {FW}