Rufous-capped Motmot
Baryphthengus ruficapillus
Large odd-looking bird with a long tail often swung from side to side or even held cocked when agitated. Usually sits quietly in the midstory and is easy to miss. The body is blue and green, with a black mask, and an orange cap and belly. Normally vocalizes at dawn and dusk an owl-like “hoo-oo-oo-oo-oo.” Nests in burrows.
Identification
The rufous-capped motmot is 42 cm (17 in) long and weighs 140 to 151 g (4.9 to 5.3 oz). The adults are mostly green above and olive-green below. The crown and nape are rufous and a black "mask" has a turquoise border. The chest has a black spot, there is a rufous band across the belly, and the lower belly is blue-green. The juvenile is similarly colored but duller.
Taxonomy
The rufous-capped motmot and rufous motmot (Baryphtengus martii) are the only two species in their genus, and have sometimes been treated as conspecific. The rufous-capped motmot is monotypic. Though subspecies have been proposed within its Brazilian population, the differences have been shown to be simply individual variation.
- Scientific name
- Baryphthengus ruficapillus
- Authority
- (Vieillot, 1818)
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Family
- Momotidae
- Genus
- Baryphthengus
Range and habitat
The rufous-capped motmot is found across southeastern Brazil, in eastern Paraguay, and in far northeastern Argentina. It inhabits primary and gallery forest, the latter mostly along watercourses. It ranges in elevation from near sea level to 1,200 m (3,900 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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