Amazonian motmot

Amazonian motmot
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Coraciiformes
Family:	Momotidae
Genus:	Momotus
Species:	M. momota
Binomial name
Momotus momota (Linnaeus, 1766)
Range
Synonyms
Ramphastos momota Linnaeus, 1766

The Amazonian motmot (Momotus momota) is a colorful near-passerine bird in the family Momotidae. It is found in the Amazon lowlands and low Andean foothills from eastern Venezuela to eastern Brazil and northeastern Argentina.[2]

Taxonomy and systematics

The Amazonian motmot and the blue-capped (Momotus coeruleiceps), whooping (M. subrufrescens), Trinidad (M. bahamensis), Lesson's (M. lessonii), and Andean motmots (M. aequatorialis) were all at one time considered conspecific.[3][4][5] The Amazonian motmot has nine recognized subspecies; they are listed in the "Distribution and habitat" section below.[2]

Description

Close-up view of the head

The Amazonian motmot's plumage varies among the subspecies. The bodies of all are shades of green. All have a long tail that has extended feathers with racquet tips that are green or black. Most have a black eyemask, though their size and shape differ. The central crown is black and surrounded or partially bordered by a blue band. The nominate subspecies has a chestnut nape. Momotus momota ignobilis and M. m. cametensis have more extensive chestnut on the neck and face.[4]

Distribution and habitat

The Amazonian motmot is widely distributed in South America east of the Andes. Nine subspecies are recognized:[2]

• Momotus momota momota — eastern Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and northern Brazil
• M. m. microstephanus — southeastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, and northwestern Brazil
• M. m. ignobilis — eastern Peru and western Brazil
• M. m. nattereri — northeastern Bolivia
• M. m. simplex — western to west central Brazil south of the Amazon
• M. m. cametensis — north central Brazil
• M. m. parensis — northeastern Brazil
• M. m. marcgravianus — eastern Brazil
• M. m. pilcomajensis — southern Bolivia, southern Brazil, and northwestern Argentina

Throughout its range the Amazonian motmot inhabits the interior and edges of humid lowland forest. It is found up to 1,200 m (3,900 ft) in Venezuela, to 1,000 m (3,300 ft) in Ecuador, and to 750 m (2,460 ft) in Peru.[4]

Behavior

Feeding

The Amazonian motmot is omnivorous. It has been documented eating insects and other arthropods, small mammals and reptiles, and fruit.[4]

Breeding

Like most Coraciiformes, the Amazonian motmot nests in long tunnels in earth banks. Very little else is known about its breeding phenology.[4]

Vocalization

The Amazonian motmot's song has been described as "a fast, hollow hoo-do" and "a bubbling whOOP-oo"[1]. It also makes "a gruff kak", sometimes in a series.[2][4]

References

1. BirdLife International (2016). "Momotus momota". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T61634607A95173087. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T61634607A95173087.en. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
2. Gill, F.; Donsker, D.; Rasmussen, P. (January 2021). "IOC World Bird List (v 11.1)". Retrieved January 14, 2021.
3. Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, A. Jaramillo, D. F. Lane, J. F. Pacheco, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. Version 19 January 2021. A classification of the bird species of South America. American Ornithological Society. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.htm retrieved January 19, 2021
4. Orzechowski, S. C. and T. S. Schulenberg (2020). Amazonian Motmot (Momotus momota), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.bucmot4.01 retrieved May 5, 2021
5. Stiles, F. Gary (2009). "A review of the genus Momotus (Coraciiformes:Momotidae) in Northern South America and adjacent areas" (PDF). Ornitología Colombiana. 8: 29–75. ISSN 1794-0915. Retrieved May 5, 2021.