Blue-throated Motmot

Aspatha gularis

Scarce inhabitant of highland forests in Chiapas and south to Honduras. Found in humid pine and evergreen forest, perching at all levels. Like other motmots, rather inactive and easily overlooked. Plumage is green overall, with a pale golden face mask and black cheek spot that is usually more noticeable than the turquoise-blue throat. No other motmots occur in its limited highland range.

Identification

The blue-throated motmot is 25.5 to 28.0 cm (10.0 to 11.0 in) long and weighs 56.0 to 67.3 g (1.98 to 2.37 oz). It has a long, graduated, tail that in contrast to that of most other motmots does not have racquet tips. The side of the adult's head is ochre with a black "ear" spot. It is mostly green above and paler green below. The throat is blue with a black spot just below it. The juvenile is duller and the green of the back is washed with olive.

Taxonomy

The blue-throated motmot is monotypic. It apparently has no close relatives.

Scientific name
Aspatha gularis
Authority
(Lafresnaye, 1840)
Order
Coraciiformes
Family
Momotidae
Genus
Aspatha

Range and habitat

The blue-throated motmot is found from Oaxaca and Chiapas in Mexico south and east through Guatemala and a bit of El Salvador to Honduras. It inhabits montane evergreen and pine forest of medium to high humidity. In elevation it ranges from 1,300 to 3,000 m (4,300 to 9,800 ft) in Mexico but in Honduras it is not found below 1,800 m (5,900 ft).

Migration
Resident species

Behavior

Migration pattern: Resident species.

Conservation

Population trend: declining.

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

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