Tody Motmot

Overview

The tody motmot (Hylomanes momotula) is a near-passerine bird in the motmot family and the smallest member of the group. It is the only species in the genus Hylomanes and resembles the closely related todies of the Caribbean.

Identification

• Measures 16.5 to 18.0 cm in length, with males weighing 27 to 33 g and females 25 to 30 g.
• Nominate subspecies features a green crown, rufous neck, and green back and rump.
• Displays a blue supercilium, a black mask with a white stripe below it, a white throat, and a greenish breast with light streaks.
• Vocalisations include a resonant, far-carrying gruff 'kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa' and loud, penetrating hollow 'whoop!' notes.

Habitat

Ranges from southern Mexico through Central America into Colombia, inhabiting humid evergreen forest from sea level to 1,850 m elevation. The species shows a particular preference for ravines within its fragmented range.

Diet

Feeds on insects, spiders, and snails, but unlike most other motmots, it has not been recorded eating fruit. It forages by plucking prey from vegetation while flying and also captures butterflies and dragonflies on the wing.

Did you know?

Despite being a motmot, it is named for its strong resemblance to the unrelated Caribbean todies and remains the smallest motmot in the world.