Nyctibiiformes

E243298

Nyctibiiformes is an order of nocturnal, insect-eating birds known as potoos, characterized by their excellent camouflage and wide, gaping mouths.

All labels observed (2)

Label Occurrences
Nyctibiidae 2
Nyctibiiformes canonical 1

How this entity was disambiguated

Statements (50)

Predicate Object
instanceOf order of birds
taxonomic rank
activityPattern nocturnal
behavior remain motionless during day
roost lengthwise along branches
camouflageStrategy mimic broken branches or tree stumps
characteristic broad flattened bill
cryptic plumage
excellent camouflage
large eyes adapted for night vision
perch motionless on branches or stumps
rictal bristles around the bill
wide gaping mouth
class Aves
commonName potoos
conservationStatus most species not globally threatened
diet insectivorous
distinguishedFrom Caprimulgiformes by skeletal and genetic traits
eyePosition large forward-facing eyes
flightStyle weak undulating flight
foragingBehavior aerial hawking of insects
sallying from perch to catch flying insects
geographicDistribution Caribbean region
Central America
Neotropics
linked to: Neotropical realm

South America
habitat forest edges
tropical forests
woodlands
hasMemberFamily Nyctibiidae
linked to: Nyctibiiformes
infraclass Neognathae
kingdom Animalia
notableSpecies Nyctibius grandis
Nyctibius griseus
Nyctibius jamaicensis
phylum Chordata
primaryPrey beetles
moths
other flying insects
relatedTo Apodiformes
Caprimulgiformes
reproductiveBehavior egg laid directly on branch or stump without nest
lay single egg
sensoryAdaptation enhanced night vision
good low-light sensitivity
sizeRange medium-sized birds
subclass Neornithes
superorder Strisores
vocalization loud mournful calls
series of haunting whistles or moans

How these facts were elicited

Referenced by (3)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Telluraves includes Nyctibiiformes
Caprimulgiformes notableFamily Nyctibiidae
linked to: Nyctibiiformes
Nyctibiiformes hasMemberFamily Nyctibiidae
linked to: Nyctibiiformes