camouflaged bird. potoo?

It took a long time to see this bird. It just sat there. Our guide said it would stay motionless all day. In the full photo it is extremelt difficult to see.

comments (11)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

I'm not sure you realize how fantastic this spotting is. It's a night jar, a nocturnal bird that sleeps during the day, usually very well hidden. I'll see if I can find the specific species.

Lucky you and thanks for sharing :)

Update: sorry, did not understand the "potoo" word, so you already knew it was a nightjar. Posted 9 years ago, modified 9 years ago
1. englishindiangirl
  
  Lion
  
  I will look at my original photograph and also my notes that I took to see if I can find the e xact location. I have some other shots of this bird. Posted 9 years ago
2. WildFlower
  
  Lion
  
  Although similar, the potoos and nightjars are in different families. I think this is a potoo, but it is hard to tell which one. According to this list 5 species of potoos have been recorded in Ecuador.
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_birds_of_Ecuador#Potoos Posted 9 years ago
3. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    I did not know that, I had not even heard of the word 'potoo' before. Posted 9 years ago

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Check out this reference:
https://books.google.nl/books?id=POOoCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA154&lpg=PA154&dq=ecuador+nightjar&source=bl&ots=hJdpJmRzac&sig=2FL-MrFGsN9Ni4Yk_8g7hQ5rFuU&hl=nl&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiw7ZDondXMAhWMChoKHSHiAI0Q6AEIKDAB#v=onepage&q=ecuador%20nightjar&f=false

Each species has a map so if you remember the location, we can perhaps isolate the species. Posted 9 years ago

englishindiangirl

Lion

I know we were on a tributary between Ecuador and Peru. Some of my photos were taken of Peru on one side of the canoe and others were taken on the Ecuadorian side. I will be away from my computer until next week so will try and research or journey then. Posted 9 years ago

Claire Hamilton

Lion

Definitely a Potoo and looking at the markings, I would say a Common potoo. Remarkable birds, I would love to see one.
Take a look at this and see if you agree:
http://www.leedingain.com/2012/09/common-potoo-nests-at-regua.html Posted 9 years ago
1. WildFlower
  
  Lion
  
  The long-tailed potoo (Nyctibius aethereus) is very similar, can you tell them apart? I am not sure I can.
  http://ibc.lynxeds.com/photo/long-tailed-potoo-nyctibius-aethereus/bird-nest
  http://ibc.lynxeds.com/photo/common-potoo-nyctibius-griseus/bird-sleeping-tree-branch Posted 9 years ago
2. englishindiangirl
  
  Lion
  
  Yes I think you are correct. Thank you for the link. Posted 9 years ago

Claire Hamilton

Lion

That was the other one I was looking at but the long-tailed seems quite distinctively brown. Of course the colour could be off in this photo. Without knowing the size of the bird, no, I am not absolutely sure I could tell them apart.
http://www.oiseaux-birds.com/card-long-tailed-potoo.html
http://www.leedingain.com/2010/09/potoo-training.html
Regardless, a very exciting find I feel! Posted 9 years ago

englishindiangirl

Lion

I've been looking at various photos of this bird and I think the common potoo appears to sit more upright. The one I photographed sat completely upright with it's head in the air. Posted 9 years ago

The Common Pootoo

The common potoo, or poor-me-ones, or urutau is one of seven species of birds within the genus "Nyctibius". It is notable for its large, yellow eyes and a wide mouth. Potoos are nocturnal and are related to nightjars and frogmouths. They lack the characteristic bristles around the mouths of true nightjars.

Info 6 0

Similar species: Potoos

Species identified by englishindiangirl