Momotidae - motmots

There are nine species of birds in this family. They are found in the forests of Central and South America.

Motmots are jay-sized and brightly colored. Most are green with reddish, blue, and black markings. All motmots, except for the tody motmot, have long tails. Most species have two middle feathers on their tails that are longer than the rest of the tail feathers. These two feathers have about an inch or more of bare shaft that ends in racquet-shaped tip!

Motmots are solitary, except for during the mating season. They eat mostly insects that they catch in flight, but they also eat small reptiles and fruit.

Motmots build their nests in river banks, caves, or rock crevices. The female usually lays four eggs. Both the male and the female care for the chicks. Some species of motmot nest in colonies.

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in Wild Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

New Hampshire Species		North/Central American Species
None		Broad-billed Motmot - Electron platyrhynchum Turquoise-browed Motmot - Eumomota superciliosa Tody Motmot - Hylomanes momotula Russet-crowned Motmot - Momotus mexicanus Blue-crowned Motmot - Momotus momota
North/Central American Species
Blue-throated Motmot - Aspatha gularis Rufous Motmot - Baryphthengus martii Keel-billed Motmot - Electron carinatum

Other Species Around the World
Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North America South America NH Species
Blue-throated Motmot - Aspatha gularis Rufous Motmot - Baryphthengus martii Rufous-capped Motmot - Baryphthengus ruficapillus Keel-billed Motmot - Electron carinatum Broad-billed Motmot - Electron platyrhynchum		Turquoise-browed Motmot - Eumomota superciliosa Tody Motmot - Hylomanes momotula Russet-crowned Motmot - Momotus mexicanus Blue-crowned Motmot - Momotus momota