Rarely observed, nocturnal bird of lowland rainforest. Considerably smaller than other potoos, and distinguished from them by bright rufous plumage spotted with white. Inhabits middle and upper levels of tall forest, especially in regions with sandy soils, where it sallies from exposed perches for flying insects. Roosts during the day on thin branches and camouflages itself remarkably well by swaying with the breeze as if to mimic a suspended dead leaf. Voice, unlike that of other potoos, is a rapid, descending series of hoots with a bubbling quality, given infrequently and only for short periods. Unlikely to be confused with anything else; plumage recalls Oilbird, but potoo is much smaller and perches vertically.