Species names in all available languages
| Language | Common name |
|---|---|
| Catalan | nictibi gros |
| Czech | potu velký |
| Dutch | Vale Reuzennachtzwaluw |
| English | Great Potoo |
| English (United States) | Great Potoo |
| French | Grand Ibijau |
| French (France) | Grand Ibijau |
| German | Riesentagschläfer |
| Japanese | オオタチヨタカ |
| Norwegian | storpotu |
| Polish | nocolot wielki |
| Portuguese (Brazil) | urutau-grande |
| Portuguese (Portugal) | Mãe-da-lua-gigante |
| Russian | Исполинский уратао |
| Serbian | Veliki potu |
| Slovak | lelkovec veľký |
| Spanish | Nictibio Grande |
| Spanish (Costa Rica) | Nictibio Grande |
| Spanish (Ecuador) | Nictibio (Puntepalo) Grande |
| Spanish (Honduras) | Pájaro Estaca Mayor |
| Spanish (Mexico) | Pájaro Estaca Mayor |
| Spanish (Panama) | Nictibio Grande |
| Spanish (Paraguay) | Urutaú grande |
| Spanish (Peru) | Nictibio Grande |
| Spanish (Spain) | Nictibio grande |
| Spanish (Venezuela) | Nictibio Grande |
| Swedish | större poto |
| Turkish | Büyük Putu |
| Ukrainian | Поту великий |
Great Potoo Nyctibius grandis
Kimberly Adams
Version: 1.0 — Published January 28, 2011
Version: 1.0 — Published January 28, 2011
Sounds and Vocal Behavior
Vocalizations
The primary vocalization of the Great Potoo is a very distinctive sound. Slud (1979) described it as "a tiger-heron-like or frog-like, heavy baaaao." Another memorable description is "a fairly loud, gruff BUAAaa, descending somewhat (at a distance like retching sound of human), given at well-spaced intervals" (Hilty 2003). The Great Potoo primarily vocalizes on moonlit nights (Hilty and Brown 1986, Hilty 2003).
A second call is an eerie whoap and is made both while the bird is flying and at rest (Slud 1979).
The third is an owl-like oorrr or oorroo (Slud 1979). Also described are muffled gwaw notes, given both in flight and upon landing (Lane, in Schulenberg et al. 2007).
Nonvocal Sounds
None reported.
