Rufous Potoo (Nyctibius bracteatus)

Order: Caprimulgiformes | Family: Nyctibiidae IUCN Status: Least Concern

rufous_potoo
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Manaus, Brazil

rufous_potoo
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Loreto, Peru

rufous_potoo
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Manaus, Brazil

rufous_potoo
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Manaus, Brazil


Identification & Behavior: ~26.5 cm (10.4 in). The Rufous Potoo is rich rufous with large white spots on the upper and underparts. The iris is yellow. It forages in the understory of mature Amazonian forests. It appears to be somewhat associated with white sand forest, but it is also found away from this forest type. The combination of a rich rufous plumage with white spots distinguishes the Rufous Potoo from others. It is smaller than other potoos. Also, see White-winged Potoo.

Status: The Rufous Potoo is rare on the north side of the Amazon River. It is also known to occur in northern Ucayali south of the Amazon. It also occurs in Co, Ec, and Br.

Name in Spanish: Nictibio Rufo.

Sub-species: Rufous Potoo (Nyctibius bracteatus), Gould, 1846.

Meaning of Name: Nyctibius: Gr. Nuktos: night and bioō: to live. bracteatus: L. bracteatus, bracteata, bract= gold, gold leaf, gold-plated.

See more of the Family Nyctibiidae   peru aves

Distribution Map

rufous potooVoice


References:

    • Species range based on: Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, and L. Rico. 2006. Distribution maps of the birds of Peru, version 1.0. Environment, Culture & Conservation (ECCo). The Field Museum.  http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/uw_test/birdsofperu on 08/01/2015.