The Pantanal
Brazil
South America
This has to be the strangest bird I've ever photographed. I also got a shot of the male who was next to her on the tree. Two additional images can be seem in the first comment section.
The great potoo (Nyctibius grandis) is a near passerine bird, both the largest potoo species and the largest member of the order Caprimulgiformes (nightjars and allies). They are also one of seven species in one genus, Nyctibius, located in tropical America.
Much like owls, this species is nocturnal. They prey on large insects and small vertebrates, which they capture in sallies from high perches.
Possibly its most well known characteristic is its unique moaning growl that the Great Potoo vocalizes throughout the night, creating an unsettling atmosphere in the Neotropics with its nocturnal sounds.
The great potoo has a large head in relation to its body. The eyes are also very large with a brown to yellow iris and has a short but broad beak. Their wings are elliptical in shape and with an elongated tail. The feather colors vary with white, gray, black, and burgundy. The tail colors match with that of the rest of the body with white bars that can be seen going across the tail laterally.
This nocturnal predator is usually seen perched high above the ground while foraging, hawking when prey is spotted. After the pounce, the potoo almost always returns to its previous perch. Normally, during the day it perches upright on a tree stump, and is overlooked because it resembles part of the stump; this is a camouflage, not just by coloration, but a camouflage by the setting. The Great Potoo can be located at night by the reflection of light from its eyes as it sits vertical on a post, roost, or angled-tree trunk.
Tags: Brazil Trip 2012 The Pantanal South America Great Potoo Nyctibius grandis Passerine Bird Genus Nyctibius Tropical America Nocturnal Related to Nightjars Prey On Small insects and vertebrates Unique Moaning Growl Perched High Above The Ground Returns To Previous Nest Resemble Part Of A Trunk Well Camouflaged Sue Roehl Pentax K-7 Sigma 150 – 500 mm Lens Handheld NGC coth5
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Cuiaba River
The Pantanal
Brazil
South America
Caiman seen along the side of the Transpantaneira Road, the road leading to The Pantanal from the city of Cuiaba.
Tags: Brazil2012 Cuiaba River The Pantanal South America Yacare Caiman Transpantaneira Road (Caiman yacare) NGC
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Explored lowest #40 on 8/16/13
Swimming in the Cuiaba River in the Pantanal in Brazil.
Giant River Otters live in large groups of grownups and young. They love to frolic and play in the water and hunt fish as a group. The youngsters have to be literally thrown into the water to teach them to swim, because they need to be taught to swim since they cannot do it by instinct. When a caiman is blocking the way to the lair of the otters, the whole group in fear for their young will attack the caiman and will take small bites out of its hide until it tires and leaves. Sometimes the otters which are up to six feet long will proceed to eat the caiman instead of the other way around. The otters are very ferocious when attacked or provoked.
Information learned on Nat Geo Wild's program Bad Ass Animals.
Featured on the blog for The Sunshine Group 1/1/14.
Member of the Nature’s Spirit
Good Stewards of Nature
Tags: BrazilSept2012 giantriverotter ThePantanal CuiabaRiver Brazil SpecAnimal NGC NPC
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Pantanal
Brazil
South America
TCuiaba River
The he giant otter or giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. It is the longest member of the Mustelidae, or weasel family, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1.7 m (5.6 ft).
Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. The groups are centered on a dominant breeding pair and are extremely cohesive and cooperative.
Although generally peaceful, the species is territorial, and aggression has been observed between groups.
The giant otter is diurnal, being active exclusively during daylight hours. It is the noisiest otter species, and distinct vocalizations have been documented that indicate alarm, aggressiveness, and reassurance.
The giant otter ranges across north-central South America; it lives mostly in and along the Amazon River and in the Pantanal. - Wikipedia
Tags: Brazil Trip 2012 The Pantanal Cuiaba River Brazil South America Giant River Otter Pteronura brasiliensis Swimming Eating Fish Carnivore Mustelidae Longest Member 5.6 Feet Long Social Species Family Group Dominant Breeding Pair Cooperative Normally Peaceful Highly Territorial Can be Aggressive Diurnal Distinct Vocalizations Sue Roehl Pentax K-7 Sigma 150-500 mm Lens Hand held Taken From Boat coth5 NGC
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Tags: Brazil2012 SuperShot COTH5 SpecAnimal NGC NPC
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