Barranquero Piquigrueso
Broad-billed Motmot
Electron (platyrhynchum) platyrhynchum
Song
Broad-billed Motmot
Appearance: The Broad-billed Motmot is a medium-sized bird with a distinctive appearance. It has a green body with a blue crown and tail. The most recognizable feature of the Broad-billed Motmot is its broad, black-tipped bill. The bird also has a long, racket-tipped tail and prominent black eye-mask markings.
Habitat: The Broad-billed Motmot is predominantly found in the humid forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests of the Andes Mountains. In Colombia, it can be observed in mountainous regions and cloud forests, particularly in areas with dense vegetation and suitable tree cover.
Behavior: Broad-billed Motmots are known for their relatively solitary and elusive behavior. They are often seen perched quietly in the lower levels of the forest, where they watch and wait for prey. These motmots may feed on insects, small reptiles, and fruits, which they catch by darting out from their perches.
Breeding: During the breeding season, Broad-billed Motmots engage in courtship displays, which may involve vocalizations, tail wagging, and other behaviors to attract mates. They typically build their nests in earthen tunnels or burrows on steep slopes or banks. The female usually lays a small clutch of eggs, and both parents take part in incubating the eggs and caring for the young.
Conservation Status: The conservation status of the Broad-billed Motmot in Colombia is of concern due to habitat loss and fragmentation caused by deforestation, agriculture, and development.
Distribution
Central Andes: The Central Andes region of Colombia, including departments like Antioquia, Caldas, Risaralda, Quindio, and Tolima, also supports populations of Broad-billed Motmots. The cloud forests and high-altitude habitats in this area are ideal for these birds.
Western Andes: The Western Andes region, which includes departments such as Valle del Cauca, Chocó, and Nariño, is another key area for the Broad-billed Motmot in Colombia. The diversity of ecosystems in the Western Andes provides various niches for the bird to thrive.
Northern Andes: The Northern Andes region, covering departments like Santander, Norte de Santander, and Cauca, also offers suitable habitats for the Broad-billed Motmot. This area hosts a variety of montane forests and cloud forests where the bird can be found.
Central Cordillera: The Central Cordillera, a prominent mountain range in Colombia, is another important region for the Broad-billed Motmot. Departments along this range, such as Cundinamarca, Tolima, and Huila, provide diverse habitats that support populations of this species.
Taxonomy
The Broad-billed Motmot (Electron (platyrhynchum) platyrhyncum)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Coraciiformes
- Family: Momotidae
- Genus: Electron
- Species: Electron platyrhynchum
- Subpecies: platyrhynchum
Vocalization
Hollow "hoot" or "whoo" calls:
- One of the most recognizable vocalizations of the Broad-billed Motmot is a hollow, resonant "hoot" or "whoo" sound. This call is often produced by males to establish territories or attract mates. It can be heard echoing through the forest as the bird calls from its perch.
Chattering calls: Broad-billed Motmots also produce chattering calls, which can vary in intensity and pitch. These calls are used in social interactions between individuals, such as during foraging or when interacting with mates or offspring.
Alarm calls: When threatened or disturbed, Broad-billed Motmots may emit sharp, rapid alarm calls to warn others of potential danger. These alarm calls serve as a means of communication within the group or pair and help alert nearby individuals to potential threats.
Courtship calls: During the breeding season, Broad-billed Motmots engage in courtship displays accompanied by specific vocalizations. These courtship calls can be melodious, rhythmic, or distinct from their regular calls, signaling readiness to mate and reinforcing pair bonds.
Nesting calls: While nesting and caring for their young, Broad-billed Motmots may produce soft, gentle calls near the nest site. These calls serve to communicate with their mate or offspring and coordinate parental care activities.
