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Blue-crowned Motmot

Momotus momota

Photo by pamsai
Published on Project Noah
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9.84, -83.57

Field Notes

Description:

The Blue-crowned Motmot (Momotus momota) is a colourful near-passerine bird found in forests and woodlands of eastern Mexico, Central America, northern and central South America, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The Blue-crowned Motmot is 38–48 cm (15–19 in) long, depending on race, and like most of the Coraciiformes, motmots nest in tunnels in banks, laying about three or four white eggs.

These birds often sit still, and in their dense forest habitat can be difficult to see, despite their size. They eat small prey such as insects and lizards, and will also regularly take fruit.

Habitat:

Primarily occurs in humid lowland forest and at forest edge.
Rancho Naturalista

Notes:

Interesting that the nest is made in a long tunnel in an earth bank or sometimes in a quarry or fresh-water well.

Species ID Suggestions

Blue crowned motmot

Momotus momota

Comments (4)

Yes Karen, so beautiful...
You're welcome. Last year one of these guys was our coffee/breakfast companion for several days. Amazingly beautiful birds!
thanks Karen for this information, and the new ID.
This is the turquoise browed http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turquoise-browed_Motmot and this is the blue crowned http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue-crowned_Motmot The difference is the bright blue crown

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