Momotus

Momotus
Blue-crowned motmot (Momotus momota)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Coraciiformes
Family:	Momotidae
Genus:	Momotus Brisson, 1760
Species
M. mexicanus M. momota

Momotus is a small genus of the motmots, a family of near passerine birds found in forest and woodland of the Neotropics. They have a colourful plumage, which is green on the back becoming blue on the flight feathers and the long tails. The barbs near the ends of the two longest central tail feathers fall off, leaving a length of bare shaft so that tails appear racket-shaped.

Momotus species, like other motmots, eat small prey such as insects and lizards, and will also take fruit. They nest in tunnels in banks, laying about four white eggs.

Species

• Russet-crowned motmot, Momotus mexicanus
• Blue-crowned motmot, Momotus momota

It has been argued that the blue-crowned motmot should be split into several species, among these the Trinidad motmot (Momotus bahamensis) and the highland motmot, Motmotus aequatorialis.

References

• Birds of Venezuela by Hilty, ISBN 0-7136-6418-5
• A guide to the birds of Costa Rica by Stiles and Skutch ISBN 0-8014-9600-4