The blue-crowned motmot (Momotus coeruliceps), also known as the blue-capped motmot and the Amazonian motmot, is a bird endemic to the woodlands and forests of Mexico, particularly the eastern parts of Mexico. They belong to the Momotidae family. They are named so because of their blue central crowns and the ‘motmot’ name comes from the American-Spanish term for the sound that they make. Blue-crowned motmots are known for sitting still in their forested habitats and swinging their tails like a pendulum. They are also known for surviving in much drier habitats, and their two extended tail feathers. They are omnivores who live in solitude, save for the breeding season. A blue-crowned motmot nest is made in riverbank tunnels. These birds live for close to 20 years and they have serrated upper mandibles. There are close to 20,000-49,999 total mature individuals of blue-crowned motmots in the world, but their population shows a declining trend. They are listed as a species of Least Concern conservation status by the IUCN.
Blue-Crowned Motmot Fun Facts
What Do Blue-Crowned Motmots Look Like?
Blue-crowned motmots are 15-17 in (38-43 cm) long and they weigh 2.7-6 oz (77-175 g). This species has a wingspan of 8 in (20 cm). The females of the species tend to be slightly smaller than the males, but besides that, their description is not much different. The crown is blue with black in the center. They have a prominent black mask around the face and red eyes. The feathers on the back and the upper portion of the tail show shades of different greens. The blue tail of the blue-crowned motmot is often described as ‘racket like’, which the bird is not born with, but prunes down itself. The overall feather and plumage colors are bluish and bright green. And one of the most noticeable features is the two central feathers that hang further down than the rest of the tail. The bill of the blue-crowned motmot is black and broad and has a serrated upper mandible. The red eyes are a dull shade and its legs and feet are short and gray. Blue-crowned motmots have distinct feet, there is only one toe on the rear, and the inner and middle toes are combined. The chicks of the blue-crowned motmot are born naked without any plumage.
How Cute Are They?
Blue-crowned motmots are regal birds. Perhaps their most appealing feature is the racket-like tail feathers, which they prune down themselves. They are a beautiful blue-green color overall and they have broad beaks. Every part of their body has a unique feature. The face and head have a black mask and blue-black crown respectively. Their feet are kinda unique, with the middle and inner toe being joined, and there being only one rear toe. Their tails have two extended feathers that hang lower and further than the rest of the tail. It truly is a unique and beautiful bird.
How Do They Communicate?
Blue-crowned motmots communicate via an ‘ooo-doot’ call, that resembles the call of an owl. They also swing their two extended tail feathers from side to side when in the presence of a predator, to let the predators that it is aware of its presence.
How Big Is A Blue-Crowned Motmot?
The blue-crowned motmot is 15-17 in (38–43 cm) long, which makes it four times bigger than the Verdin, and eight times bigger than the bee hummingbird.
How Fast Can A Blue-Crowned Motmot Fly?
Like other small to medium-sized birds, blue-crowned motmots may be able to fly at speeds close to 25 mph (40 kph).
How Much Does A Blue-Crowned Motmot Weigh?
A blue-crowned motmot may weigh anywhere between 2.7-6 oz (77-175 g).
What Are The Male And Female Names Of The Species?
The male and female of the blue-crowned motmot species are not called by specific names.
What Would You Call A Baby Blue-Crowned Motmot?
A baby blue-crowned motmot may be called a chick.
What Do They Eat?
Blue-crowned motmots eat insects, mainly beetles, and more specifically dung beetles. Other insects that they eat include phasmids and cicadas. They are also known to add fruits, insect larvae, spiders, and small lizards to their diet.
Are They Poisonous?
No, blue-crowned motmots are not poisonous.
Would They Make A Good Pet?
No, blue-crowned motmots would not make good pets. They are wild solitary birds that thrive within their natural habitats. The conservation of their habitats like rainforests is paramount.
Did You Know…
Blue-crowned motmots belong to the ‘near passerine’ group of birds that includes pigeons, parrots, hummingbirds. The rainbow bee-eater is another example of a near-passerine bird.
The Amazonian motmot is synonymous with the blue-crowned motmot (Momotus momota). The main difference is this blue-crowned motmot (Momotus momota) is found in South America, in the Amazonian rainforests. More specifically, it exists in the habitats of South America that are east of the Andes in countries like Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay. This blue-crowned motmot (Momotus momota) is also an omnivore. Recently, this blue-crowned motmot split into nine recognized subspecies of motmots, all of which live in South America. The Amazonian motmot is also a species of Least Concern.
Inedible objects play a role in the mating rituals of blue-crowned motmots. Males may carry inedible objects to attract the attention of a blue-crowned motmot female.
Blue-crowned motmots belong to the order Coraciiformes. The order Coraciiformes consists of brightly colored birds like kingfishers, motmots, and bee-eaters.
There is a blue-crowned motmot in Texas in the Houston Zoo. In the Mexican state of Yucatan, the blue-crowned motmot has two subspecies that may compete for territory. There was a special blue-crowned motmot significance in the bygone Mayan Culture.
In the family Motmot, there are six blue-crowned species: the Trinidad motmot, whooping motmot, Andean motmot, Lesson’s motmot, the blue-capped motmot, and the Amazonian motmot.
How Do You Identify A Blue-Crowned Motmot?
The blue-crowned motmot can be identified by the central crown, which is blue and black. It is also distinguishable by its two tail feathers that swing around like a pendulum. Also, their tails are racket-like, which do not grow this way but are pruned down by blue-crowned motmots themselves.
Why Are They Called Motmot?
The word ‘motmot’ has really old American Spanish origins where it means ‘compound’ and ‘repetitive’. It has been used to imitate and refer to the notes of the birds which repeat themselves and sounds like ‘motmot’. Hence, motmots have been named after their calls.
