ExploreBirds

Blue-crowned Motmot

Momotus momota

The Blue-crowned Motmot is a colorful bird with a bright blue crown and a long tail. It loves to hop around in the trees and can be found in Central and South America, making it a special sight for bird watchers!

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Blue-crowned Motmot has a vibrant green body with a rusty belly and a distinctive bright blue crown. It wears a black mask across its eyes and unique tail feathers that resemble rackets at their tips.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCoraciiformesFamilyMomotidaeGenusMomotus
Blue-crowned Motmot
feathered trait badgesocial trait badgesinging trait badgearboreal trait badge
Blue-crowned Motmot

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Baby motmots stay in their cozy tunnel nests for almost a month before flying out!

Motmots are one of the few birds that decorate their nests with leaves and flowers!

Some scientists believe their tail rackets might act like a pendulum when they fly!

They often perch perfectly still, making them masters of camouflage in the forest.

Special abilities

Ability

Racket Tail Creation

Blue-crowned Motmot can custom-shape its tail feathers into unique 'rackets' that helps them signal to other motmots.

Ability

Tunnel Architect

Blue-crowned Motmot can dig deep nesting tunnels into earth banks, which provides a safe home for its chicks.

Ability

Prey Batter

Blue-crowned Motmot has a clever way of hitting larger prey against branches, which helps them tenderize it before eating.

Measurements & details

Length
40-48 cm
Wingspan
50-60 cm
Weight
0.13-0.19 kg
Lifespan
12-18 years
Clutch Size
3-5
Incubation
19-22 days
Migration Distance
0 km

Diet & Feeding

This colorful bird enjoys a mix of insects and juicy fruits from its forest home!

Primary Foods

  • beetles
  • dragonflies
  • spiders
  • lizards
  • berries
  • tropical fruits

Foraging Method

  • Ambush

Ecological connections

eats

June Beetle

Phyllophaga anxia

Hunts and consumes various large beetles in its habitat.

hunts

Punctated Anole

Anolis punctatus

Preys on these small arboreal lizards in the forest.

eats

Central American Strangler Fig

Ficus glabrata

Relies on various fig species for its fruit diet.

eaten by

Collared Forest-Falcon

Micrastur semitorquatus

Can be prey for agile forest raptors.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and do not try to touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Blue-crowned Motmot?

40-48 cm

What is Blue-crowned Motmot's wingspan?

50-60 cm

How much does Blue-crowned Motmot weigh?

0.13-0.19 kg

How long does Blue-crowned Motmot live?

12-18 years

What does Blue-crowned Motmot eat?

This colorful bird enjoys a mix of insects and juicy fruits from its forest home!

Where is Blue-crowned Motmot usually found?

Forests

How does Blue-crowned Motmot hunt?

Ambush

How many eggs does Blue-crowned Motmot lay?

3-5

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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