Common Potoo

*Top 50 Target Species

The Common Potoo is a nocturnal bird found throughout Ecuador’s lowland and foothill forests, where it perches motionless on branches, perfectly camouflaged against tree bark. Its eerie, descending calls echo through the night, adding to its ghostlike reputation in tropical habitats. Though globally listed as Least Concern, it remains elusive and sparsely recorded in Ecuador, with sightings from regions like Mindo and the Amazon basin. This insectivorous species relies on cryptic plumage and stillness to avoid predators, blending seamlessly into its arboreal surroundings by day.