Motmot
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 Blue-crowned Motmot (Momotus momota)
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The motmots or Momotidae are a family of tropical birds in the order Coraciiformes, which also includes the kingfishers, bee-eaters and rollers.
These are medium-sized near passerine species of dense forests. They are restricted to the tropical New World (though a fossil has been found in Switzerland). These birds have colorful plumage and long, graduated tails, which they move back and forth in a wag-display. In all but the first two species listed below, the barbs near the ends of the two longest (central) tail feathers are weak and fall off, leaving a length of bare shaft, thus creating the racket shape of the tail. Motmots eat small prey such as insects and lizards, and will also take fruit.
Like most of the Coraciiformes, motmots nest in tunnels in banks, laying about four white eggs.
The Turquoise-browed Motmot is a national bird in Nicaragua (known as the guardabarranco or ravine-guard) and in El Salvador (known there as Torogoz).
[edit] Species list
- Genus Hylomanes
- Tody Motmot, Hylomanes momotula
- Genus Aspatha
- Blue-throated Motmot, Aspatha gularis
- Genus Momotus
- Russet-crowned Motmot, Momotus mexicanus
- Blue-crowned Motmot, Momotus momota
- Highland Motmot, Momotus aequatorialis
- Genus Baryphthengus
- Rufous Motmot, Baryphthengus martii
- Rufous-capped Motmot, Baryphthengus ruficapillus
- Genus Electron
- Keel-billed Motmot, Electron carinatum
- Broad-billed Motmot, Electron platyrhynchum
- Genus Eumomota
- Turquoise-browed Motmot, Eumomota superciliosa
A fossil genus of prehistoric motmots has been described as Protornis.
[edit] External links
- Motmot videos on the Internet Bird Collection
