Pott (1 Viewer)

While in San Blas Mexico this past winter, I spotted a Potoo. I read in a blog that a group of birders saw one and identified it as a "Jamaican Potoo". In the Howell and Webb bird guide there is a Northern Potoo (Great Potoo is only in SE Mexico). In my birdlist, I'm going to go with Northern Potoo as the correct name. Please let me know if you disagree and for some reason it should be Jamaican Potoo.

Northern Potoo's scientific name is Nyctibius jamaicensis (the species was first discovered on Jamaica); I'd guess that's what got them confused. The subspecies of Northern Potoo in western Mexico is N. j. lambi; safe to assume that's what you saw.

Similar case: Red-tailed Hawk was also first described from Jamaica, hence Buteo jamaicensis. Next time you post on this blog, tell them you've got a Jamaican Hawk in your garden 3

Thanks for the belly laugh, Nutcracker!