Motmots
Appearance: Motmots are medium-sized, colorful birds known for their distinctive racket-tipped tails. Their plumage typically includes shades of green, blue, and black, along with prominent eye markings. Motmots have long tails with a unique central pair of tail feathers that end in a racket shape, giving them a distinct appearance.
Habitat: In Colombia, Motmots are found in a variety of forested habitats, including rainforests, cloud forests, and montane forests. They prefer areas with dense vegetation, tall trees, and shrubs where they can find ample food sources and suitable nesting sites. Motmots are often seen perched quietly in the canopy.
Behavior: Motmots are known for their distinct behavior, such as perching quietly for long periods while scanning for prey. They feed on a variety of insects, small reptiles, and fruits. Motmots are skilled hunters, often remaining motionless before making a quick strike to catch their prey.
Breeding: Motmots are cavity nesters and will excavate burrows in earthen banks, termite mounds, or other suitable locations for nesting. They lay a small clutch of eggs, and both parents take turns incubating the eggs and caring for the young. Motmots are devoted parents and will fiercely protect their nest and offspring.
Tody Motmot
Hylomanes momotula
Spanish Name: Barranquero Colimocho
Size: 7 in | 18 cm
Habitat: Dense tropical forests, diverse canopy, understory, and proximity to water sources.
Height: <1500 m
Photo: © Carlos Echeverría eBird S46286606 Macaulay Library ML 103243271
Whooping Motmot
Momotus subrufescens
Spanish Name: Barranquero Ferina
Size: 16 in | 41 cm
Habitat: Dense tropical forests, diverse canopy, understory, and proximity to water sources.
Height: <1200 m
Photo: © Shailesh Pinto eBird S35742584 Macaulay Library ML 53931471
Amazonian Motmot
Momotus momota
Spanish Name: Barranquero Coronado
Size: 0 in | 0 cm
Habitat: Tropical lowland forests, including rainforests, gallery forests, and forest edges throughout the Amazon basin.
Height: <1400 m
Photo: © Dave Curtis eBird Checklist S43559367 Macaulay Library ML 89328641
Highland Motmot (Andean Motmot)
Momotus aequatorialis
Spanish Name: Barranquero Andino
Size: 19 in | 48 cm
Habitat: Dense vegetation with a variety of trees and shrubs; found at different levels of the forest, from the canopy to the understory.
Height: 1350-3000 m
Photo: © Luis A. Materon
Rufous Motmot
Baryphthengus martii
Spanish Name: Barranquero Pechicastaño.
Size: 18 in | 46 cm
Habitat: Tropical lowland forests, montane forests, and cloud forests.
Height: <1300 m
Photo: © Daniel Irons eBird S53656851 Macaulay Library ML 197457531
Broad-billed Motmot
Electron (platyrhynchum) platyrhynchum
Spanish Name: Barranquero Piquigrueso
Size: 14 in | 36 cm
Habitat: Tropical lowland forests, montane forests, and cloud forests.
Height: <1400 m
Photo: © Luis A. Materom
Plain-tailed Motmot
Electron (platyrhynchum) pyrroholaemum
Spanish Name: Barranquero Piquigrueso
Size: 14 in | 36 cm
Habitat: Tropical lowland forests, montane forests, and cloud forests.
Height: <1100 m
Photo: © Josef Widmer eBird S64969148
