Motmot

Motmot
Scientific classification
Kingdom Information
Domain	Eukaryota
Kingdom	Animalia
Subkingdom	Bilateria
Phylum Information
Phylum	Chordata
Sub-phylum	Vertebrata
Infraphylum	Gnathostomata
Class Information
Superclass	Tetrapoda
Class	Aves
Sub-class	Neornithes
Order Information
Order	Coraciiformes
Family Information
Family	Momotidae
Population statistics

Motmot refers to several species of tropical birds native to the Americas.

Description

Motmots vary in length, from 6.5 to 19.5 inches in length. The wings are short and rounded, while the tail is long; the two center feathers are longer than the remaining tail feathers, with the sub-terminal ends of the feathers bearing barbs which are loosely-attached to the shaft. These barbs fall off during preening, giving the remaining barbs at the end a spatula or racquet look. The bill is rather large and has a slight downward curve with serrated edges.

Motmot species are olive, rufus, or greenish in color, but all species bear one or more brilliant patches of contrasting colors, such as cobalt, orange, red, or yellow. Motmots nest in difficult-to-find holes dug into river banks or the forest floor, with the entrance pipe some distance as well as curved before it ends at the nest. Up to four white eggs are laid, with an incubation period of 21–22 days.

Species

• Genus Aspatha

Blue-throated motmot, Aspatha gularis

• Genus Momotus

Blue-crowned motmot, Momotus momota

Russet-crowned motmot, Momotus mexicanus

• Genus Baryphthengus

Rufous motmot, Baryphthengus martii

Rufous-capped motmot, Baryphthengus ruficapillus

• Genus Electron

Broad-billed motmot, Electron platyrhynchum

Keel-billed motmot, Electron carinatum

• Genus Eumomota

Turquoise-browed motmot, Eumomota superciliosa

• Genus Hylomanes

Tody motmot, Hylomanes momotula