Today we celebrate an extraordinary finding: the presence of the rare bird in Cuba, the Potoo, has been confirmed in its natural habitat.For the first time, we have photographs and 4K videos of this enigmatic bird, known locally as "the hanged."
Potoo is a night bird that has remained hidden in the eyes of Cubans for more than two centuries.His first record was made by the German naturalist Duque Pablo Guillermo de Wurtemberg in 1822, who mentioned it in his book after visiting the island.Subsequently, the ornithologist Juan Gundlach also referred to this species in its 1866 catalog, although he considered it an error, which led to Potoo to fall into scientific oblivion for many years.
It was not until 1997 that feathers were obtained from this bird thanks to the Oreste Martínez guide.In 2000, with the collaboration of the ornithologist Orlando H. Garrido, his existence in Cuba was confirmed.In 2003, a dead specimen was donated to the museum, where he identified himself correctly as a Potoo, which allowed two copies in Cuban museums.
Recently, several expeditions were carried out to rediscover Potoo in their natural environment, although without success.However, our recent expedition has paid off: we have not only documented Potoo in wildlife, but we also discover its nest, which contains an egg.This finding allows us to confirm that Potoo is a resident of the Cuban Avifauna and that there is a population established in the region, protected by rangers and local communities.
In addition, for those who doubted their hanger habits, we have captured images that demonstrate how Potoo perches on horizontal branches.
This discovery highlights the importance of conservation and study of birds in Cuba.Soon we will share an article with more details about this fascinating species and its history.Keep you attentive!
Characteristics of the Potoo
The Potoo, belonging to the family Nyctibiidae, is a nocturnal bird characterized by its peculiar appearance and unique lifestyle habits. Below are some of its most notable characteristics:
Morphology:
• The Potoo has a robust body and plumage that varies between shades of brown, gray, and beige, allowing it to effectively camouflage itself in its environment. Its appearance resembles that of a trunk or branch, which is a perfect adaptation to avoid predators.
• It has a large head with prominent yellow eyes, ideal for night vision. Its beak is short and wide, adapted for catching flying insects.Behavior:
• It is primarily a nocturnal bird, active at night when it hunts. It mainly feeds on insects such as moths and other flying invertebrates.
• During the day, the Potoo remains motionless on high branches where it perfectly camouflages with its surroundings, making it difficult to detect.
Reproduction:
• The Potoo does not build nests in the traditional sense; instead, it lays a single egg in a crevice or on top of a branch. This minimizes the risk of predation.
• Both parents participate in incubating the egg and caring for the chick once it hatches.Distribution:
• Although several species of Potoo have been reported in Central and South America, the Cuban Potoo (Nyctibius jamaicensis) is endemic to the island of Cuba and its surroundings.
• Its preferred habitat includes tropical and subtropical forests where it can find sufficient cover and food.Vocalization:
• The call of the Potoo is a characteristic sound resembling a deep lament. This call is mainly heard at night and is used to mark territory and attract mates.