Great Potoo

*Top 50 Target Species

The Great Potoo is a cryptic nocturnal bird found in Ecuador’s lowland forests, especially in humid and semi-humid regions where it perches motionless on tree limbs by day, blending seamlessly with its surroundings. Though elusive, it is a resident species and occurs widely across the country’s Amazonian and foothill zones, typically below 1,500 meters. Despite a declining global population trend, it remains classified as Least Concern due to its extensive range and large estimated population. Known for its eerie, moaning calls and sit-and-wait hunting style, the Great Potoo feeds on large insects and small vertebrates during its solitary nighttime sallies.