Alternative name: Blue-diademed Motmot
- Momotus coeruliceps
Identification
38-48 cm
Green upperparts, green or rufous underparts depending on subspecies (very variable how dark), black central spot on upper breast, blue crown, black eyemask sometimes edged pale at the back.
Tail is green with blue lower tail with two longest feathers showing an area missing barbs followed by an area with barbs (rackets); the tip of these feathers is black in some subspecies.
Notice that the tail feathers are normal when growing, the barbs fall off shortly after, and it is therefore possible to see a bird of this species that is missing rackets (feathers may also break below the rackets).
Juvenile has reduced black on upper breast.
Distribution
Mexico to northern half of South America.
Taxonomy
Four subspecies accepted:
- M. c. coeruliceps in northeast Mexico
- M. c. lessonii from tropical southern Mexico (Chiapas) to western Panama
- M. c. goldmani from tropical southeast Mexico (Veracruz) to Petén of northern Guatemala
- M. c. exiguus in tropical southern Mexico (Campeche and Yucatán)
The latter three subspecies are sometimes split as Lesson's Motmot.
Whooping Motmot, Amazonian Motmot, Highland Motmot and Trinidad Motmot have been included in this species in the past.
Habitat
Habits near water, rivers, streams, and builds its nest in hollows excavated on banks. Likes to perch on branches in the shadow, inside forest, in hedgerows, or in scrub.
Behaviour
Breeding
It nests in tunnels in a bank, 3-4 white eggs are laid.
Diet
The diet includes insects, lizards and fruit.
Vocalisation
A song consisting of two hoots.
References
- Clements, James F. 2007. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019
- F. Gary Stiles 2009. A REVIEW OF THE GENUS MOMOTUS (CORACIIFORMES: MOMOTIDAE) IN NORTHERN SOUTH AMERICA AND ADJACENT AREAS. Ornitología Colombiana No.8 (2009): 29-75. Subject of Birdforum discussion here
- Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Blue-crowned Motmot. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 4 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Blue-crowned_Motmot
