Blue-crowned Motmot

Blue-crowned Motmot

We are delighted that Regina Quest has become the godmother of the Blue-crowned Motmot.

The blue-crowned motmot(Momotus momota) belongs to the small family of marmots or motmots (Momotidae), which consists of only 10 known species. Its range extends from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. One population lives on Trinidad & Tobago.

The 38 cm to 43 cm tall, otherwise green-brown coloured bird is particularly striking due to its bright blue tail and forehead area, to which it owes its German name. Its habitat is the rainforests of Amazonia, humid deciduous forests and open woodlands, but also urban areas such as plantations and gardens.
The blue-crowned motmot feeds on insects and other invertebrates such as snails, worms and millipedes. But it also does not disdain small vertebrates such as lizards, mice or young birds. It also regularly supplements its diet with various fruits.

This widespread motmot species usually breeds between April and July, laying three to five eggs. A burrow is used as a nest, which is dug into a steep earth wall or embankment. The length of the burrow can vary greatly and can reach up to four metres. The young hatch after around 21 days and fledge after a month.
Like most of the ten motmot species, the blue-crowned motmot is fortunately not yet threatened with extinction, mainly due to its large distribution area.