Nyctibiidae – Potoos
These nocturnal insectivores can see even with their eyes shut, never letting their guard down
Potoos are typically found in savannah and tropical forests. They have characteristic oversized eyes that reflect light, making it easy to spot them even at night. These nocturnal birds become active at night to hunt their prey.
During the daytime, potoos prefer to stump and sleep to avoid danger. Camouflage behavior is backed up by gray and brown plumage and a cryptic posture. They stretch their heads vertically, close their eyes, and compress their head feathers to merge with the tree branch. Beware of a sleeping potoo cause you never know what those closed eyes might see through unique slits.
Genera in this family
You must be blessed with extraordinary vision to spot this bird
