Lesson's motmot
| Lesson's motmot | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Coraciiformes |
| Family: | Momotidae |
| Genus: | Momotus |
| Species: | M. lessonii |
| Binomial name | |
| Momotus lessonii Lesson, 1842 | |
| Subspecies | |
|
See text | |
The Lesson's motmot or blue-diademed motmot (Momotus lessonii) is a colorful near-passerine bird found in forests and woodlands of southern Mexico to western Panama. This species and the blue-capped motmot, whooping motmot, Trinidad motmot, Amazonian motmot, and Andean motmot were all considered conspecific.
Description
The central crown is black and surrounded by a blue band. There is a black eyemask. The call is a low owl-like ooo-doot.
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.
Like most of the Coraciiformes, motmots nest in tunnels in banks, laying about three or four white eggs.
Subspecies
The Lesson's motmot has three subspecies:
- M. l. goldmani Nelson, 1900 - southwestern Mexico to northern Guatemala
- M. l. exiguus Ridgway, 1912 - Campeche and Yucatán (southern Mexico)
- M. l. lessonii Lesson, R., 1842 - Chiapas (southern Mexico) to western Panama
References
- ↑ BirdLife International (2016). "Momotus lessonii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2016.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 13 August 2016.