Rufous Motmot

Overview

The rufous motmot (Baryphthengus martii) is a near-passerine bird belonging to the family Momotidae. As the second-largest member of its family, it is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Adults are predominantly cinnamon-rufous with a black face mask and central breast spot.
• Wings and sides are green, while the lower belly is greenish-blue and the tail and flight feathers are dark blue.
• Males of the nominate subspecies measure 42 to 47 cm in length; the tail is very long, with B. m. semirufus possessing a bare-shafted racket tip.
• The bill and legs are black; young birds are paler, duller, and lack the tail rackets and black breast spot.

Habitat

This species inhabits humid lowland evergreen primary and secondary forests, with a preference for tall forest near rivers and streams while avoiding dense foliage. Its range extends from northeastern Honduras south to western Ecuador, northern Bolivia, and western Brazil, occurring at elevations from near sea level up to 1,600 m in Peru.

Diet

The rufous motmot is omnivorous, consuming a variety of fruits, adult insects and their larvae, arachnids, crustaceans, small fish, lizards, and frogs. Specific details regarding foraging techniques are not provided in the reference material.

Did you know?

The song of the rufous motmot has been described as consisting of "hoos, hoots, or hoops," which is sometimes answered by a low, owl-like "hoop hoop huhuhuhuhuhu".