Birds and Birding's Guide to:

Watching THE ROLLER-LIKE BIRDS

THE ROLLERS AND THEIR ALLIES

THE MOTMOTS AND TODIES

Motmot distribution

The twenty-four or more species of Motmots are disposed among seven genera, in one of which, the monotypic Urospatha, the nostrils are oval and situated in front of the nasal depression, while in the remaining genera the nostrils are rounded and located in the front part of the nasal cavity. A further division of the genera is made on the basis of the relative length of the tail, this being in five genera much longer than the wing, while in the final genus (Hylomanes) the wing and tail are about equal in length. One of the best-marked of the genera is Prionomis, the three species of which are widely spread over Central America and northern South America.

It is known by the wide, flattened, curved bill, with a distinct ridge along the culmen, and exceedingly fine and numerous serrations on the edges of the maxilla and mandible. The tarsus is relatively short and the tail graduated as in Momotus. All the species are quite rare, perhaps the best-known being the Keel-billed Motmot (P. carinatus) which frequents the dense forests of the interior.

The Red-backed Motmot (Eumomota superciliaris) of Central America from Yucatan to Costa Rica is another handsome species, the adult male being grass-green above with the mantle cinnamon, and the wings and tail largely blue, while the sides of the face, cheeks, sides of the throat and neck, as well as fore neck and breast are green, and the sides of the body and abdomen pale ferruginous; there is also a broad superciliary band of white and cobalt-blue and a black throat patch which is bordered with blue.

Writing of this exquisite bird as observed in Costa Rica, Mr. Nutting says: “It is common throughout the coast region, where it bears the rather insulting name of ' Bobo' [stupid]. In truth, it seems quite fearless, and seldom disturbs itself on account of human proximity. Although a very silent bird (I never heard its voice), its peculiar spatulate tail-feathers are apt to attract attention.

It seems to be solitary in its habits and not very industrious, as it is most often seen sitting on a limb not far from the ground apparently engaged in deep meditation, from which it is not aroused by the presence of the collector.”Mr. L. J. Cole, who recently observed it in northern Yucatan, found it abundant about ancient ruins and adjacent buildings, where it roosted in holes in the masonry.”The time of my visit appeared to be before the nesting season; nevertheless the birds were at times very noisy, their note, which is suggested by the Maya name (Toh), being a characteristic sound for the Yucatan forest. They fly with small undulations."

previous bird species next bird species