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potoo

American

[poh-too] / poʊˈtu /

noun

any of several nocturnal birds of the family Nyctibiidae, of Mexico and Central and South America, related to the goatsuckers.

Etymology

Origin of potoo

1840–50; originally Jamaican English patoo; compare Twi patú owl

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As I didn't want to risk disturbing the potoo into flight, I photographed it with a long telephoto lens.

From BBC • Oct. 21, 2023

During the day, the potoo perches on tree branches, remaining perfectly still, with its cryptic plumage resembling a broken tree branch or stump.

From BBC • Oct. 21, 2023

Apparently she has been called the ugliest bird in the world, a distinction that should really go to the potoo.

From Slate • Feb. 13, 2017

A common potoo perches on a branch in Peru.

From National Geographic

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023