The Common Nictibio or stake bird as it is known, bears its name by its excellent camouflage which together with its cryptic position seems to be an extension of the branch or trunk where it is posed.

The Nyctibius griseus has a white malar line, followed by a black malar line, measuring on average about 38 cm.

In Costa Rica there are three types of Nictibios, of which Common Potoo (Nyctibius griseus) and Northern Potoo (Nyctibius jamaicensis) are practically distinguished only by song and its geographical distribution, but not the Great Potoo which is the largest everybody.