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LESSON’S [BLUE-CROWNED] MOTMOT  Momotus [momota] lessonii 38–

43cm. Large motmot of humid forest and edge, gallery forest, plantations,

adjacent taller second growth; semi-open areas with larger trees. Forages low to

high, often in subcanopy, and regular at army ant swarms; also visits feeders.

Often sits quietly and overlooked easily if not vocal; switches tail side-to-side

like a jerky pendulum. Distinctive if seen well, but in northwest cf. Turquoise-

browed Motmot. SOUNDS: Song typically a low double hoot, whoop woop, less

often short series or single notes; often given pre-dawn and easily mistaken for

an owl. Calls include harsh low clucks and chatters, and a soft, bouncing-ball

hooting series suggesting Spectacled Owl. STATUS: Fairly common in humid Pacific lowlands, Central

Valley, and on adjacent Caribbean slope, locally to 2000m; less numerous and more local in drier nw.

lowlands. (Mexico to Panama.)

KEEL-BILLED MOTMOT  Electron carinatum 31–33cm. Scarce, medium-size

motmot of humid foothill forest, especially hilly country near streams. Feeds

low to high, but mainly at mid–upper levels inside shady forest, less often at

edges. Calls mainly from subcanopy. Combination of turquoise-blue brow,

black mask, and rusty forehead distinctive; also note relatively broad bill from

below, cf. Lesson’s Motmot, and overall greenish underparts, cf. structurally and

vocally similar Broad-billed Motmot. Has paired with Broad-billed Motmot,

and taxonomic status unclear; the 2 species may simply be color morphs.

SOUNDS: Song a far-carrying, ringing nasal kwaah or ownhh every 3–6 secs; not

readily told from Broad-billed Motmot. Varied rhythmic clucking series when excited, such as owhn k-k-

owhng k-k-k-owhng..., all much like Broad-billed. STATUS: Scarce and local on n. Caribbean slope, mainly

300–1000m. (Mexico to Costa Rica.)

BROAD-BILLED MOTMOT  Electron platyrhynchum 31–33cm. Medium-size

motmot of humid lowland and foothill forest and edge, taller second growth,

overgrown plantations. Feeds low to high, but mainly at mid–upper levels

inside shady forest, less often at edges. Calls mainly from subcanopy. Appreciably

smaller than large and bulky Rufous Motmot, with narrower black mask,

turquoise chin, and less extensive rusty on underparts; also note broad bill, best

seen from below. Juv. reportedly duller overall, with greenish underparts,

greenish-tinged crown, short blue streak above eye (Stiles & Skutch 1989), thus

resembling Keel-billed Motmot. Has paired with Keel-billed Momtot, and the

2 species may simply be color morphs. SOUNDS: Ringing nasal kwaah, repeated, and hard, hollow honking

clucks when agitated; much like Keel-billed Motmot. STATUS: Fairly common on Caribbean slope, to

1500m; spills over locally to adjacent n. Pacific slope foothills. (Guatemala to S America.)

RUFOUS MOTMOT  Baryphthengus martii 45–50cm. Very large, rather bulky

motmot of humid forest and edge, taller second growth, overgrown plantations;

often in same areas as Broad-billed Motmot. Feeds low to high, mainly at mid–

upper levels. Told from smaller Broad-billed Motmot by size, broader black

mask, extensively rusty underparts, and voice. Juv. paler and duller overall,

without black chest spots; soon like adult. SOUNDS: Song a resonant, rapid-paced

(usually 3–7-note) low hooting whu-du-du, and higher 2–3-note whuu-whuup,

often in overlapping choruses at and before dawn; might be mistaken for large

owl. Harsh chatter when agitated. STATUS: Uncommon to fairly common on

Caribbean slope to 1000m, locally to 1400m in south. (Honduras to S America.)