Blue-capped motmot

Momotus coeruliceps

The blue-capped motmot (Momotus coeruliceps) or blue-crowned motmot, is a colorful near-passerine bird found in forests and woodlands of eastern Mexico.

Family: motmot Order: Coraciiformes Conservation: Least Concern

About the Blue-capped motmot

The blue-capped motmot (Momotus coeruliceps) or blue-crowned motmot, is a colorful near-passerine bird found in forests and woodlands of eastern Mexico. This species and the Lesson's Motmot, Whooping Motmot, Trinidad Motmot, Amazonian Motmot, and Andean Motmot were all considered conspecific. The IUCN uses blue-crowned as their identifier for this species; however, it was also the name used for the prior species complex. It is the only species in the former complex where the central crown is blue. There is a black eyemask. The call is a low owl-like ooo-doot. Blue-crowned motmots have a body length ranging from 38 to 43 cm (15 to 17 in). These birds often sit still, and in their dense forest habitat can be difficult to see, despite their size. They eat small prey such as insects and lizar

Fun Facts About Blue-capped motmot

Blue-crowned motmots have a body length ranging from 38 to 43 cm (15 to 17 in).
These birds often sit still, and in their dense forest habitat can be difficult to see, despite their size.
The blue-capped motmot (Momotus coeruliceps) or blue-crowned motmot, is a colorful near-passerine bird found in forests and woodlands of eastern Mexico.
Like most of the Coraciiformes, motmots nest in tunnels in banks, laying about three or four white eggs.
It is the only species in the former complex where the central crown is blue.

Conservation Status

The Blue-capped motmot is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. This species is currently stable and not at significant risk of population decline.

View on IUCN Red List →

Taxonomy & Classification

Order	Coraciiformes
Family	motmot
Genus	Momotus
Species	Momotus coeruliceps

Range & Habitat