---
title: "Great Potoo"
description: "Nyctibius grandis — Uccelli. The great potoo or grand potoo (Nyctibius grandis) is the largest potoo species and is widely distributed in Central and South America."
canonical: https://animalchecklist.com/it/animal/great-potoo
last_updated: 2026-09-20
---

# Great Potoo

> Nyctibius grandis — Uccelli. The great potoo or grand potoo (Nyctibius grandis) is the largest potoo species and is widely distributed in Central and South America.

- Scientific name: *Nyctibius grandis*
- Category: `birds` (Uccelli)
- Habitats: `forest` (Foresta), `jungle` (Giungla)
- iNaturalist observations: 2804
- Wikidata: [Q1262284](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1262284)
- iNaturalist taxon: [19680](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/19680)

## Names

- en: Great Potoo
- de: Riesentagschläfer
- es: Pájaro Estaca Mayor
- fr: Grand Ibijau
- nl: Vale reuzennachtzwaluw
- pl: Nocolot wielki

## Countries with the most observations

BR (642), CR (476), CO (432), EC (277), PA (244), PE (228), BO (87), GY (28), HN (28), GF (27), VE (26), SR (24)

## Summary

The great potoo or grand potoo (Nyctibius grandis) is the largest potoo species and is widely distributed in Central and South America.

 Much like owls, this species is nocturnal. It preys on large insects and small vertebrates, which it captures in sallies from high perches.
The great potoo is best known for its distinctive moaning growl, which echoes through the Neotropical night.

Text: Wikipedia (en), CC BY-SA 4.0 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_potoo

## Photo

![Great Potoo](https://animalchecklist.com/img/animals/great-potoo/medium.jpg)

Photo: Paulo Mascaretti · CC0 · inaturalist — https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/148060686

## Machine access

`GET https://animalchecklist.com/api/v1/animals/great-potoo?lang=it` — see [openapi.json](https://animalchecklist.com/openapi.json).