Trinidad Motmot

Momotus bahamensis

Fantastic bird with a long, racket-tipped tail found only in Trinidad and Tobago, where it is the only motmot. No other bird in the country shares its beautiful orange, green, and blue color pattern, and the black mask, breast spot, ruby eye, and large size make it truly unforgettable. Inhabits rainforest where it stays fairly low and usually well hidden, but occasionally may venture out into more open areas if there are large trees to perch in. Often gives a low-pitched “boo” or “boo-dip”, and sometimes a longer series when excited.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Momotus bahamensis
Authority
(Swainson, 1838)
Order
Coraciiformes
Family
Momotidae
Genus
Momotus

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Blue-billed Curassow

Blue-billed Curassow

Crax alberti

Impressively large bird restricted to lowland rainforest in northern Colombia. It is critically endangered due to deforestation and hunting pressure. Male is black with a white belly and tail tip, shaggy crest, and blue bulges at the base of the bill. Female has a chestnut belly, a variable amount of white barring on body and crest, and a hint of blue at the base of the bill. Younger birds have less blue in the bill. Mostly terrestrial, but may ascend to low branches to sing or when threatened. It is only likely to be encountered in protected areas such as El Paujil Bird Reserve and Tayrona National Park.

White-winged Cliff-Chat

White-winged Cliff-Chat

Monticola semirufus

An attractive and distinctive chat of the Abyssinian highlands. Both sexes have dark upperparts and a large white patch in the middle of the wing. Males have a clean black hood and a red-orange belly, while females appear entirely dark save for the white wing patch, though close inspection reveals fine barring on the belly and rufous tones near the vent. Similar to Mocking Cliff-Chat, but easily separated by the white patch in the middle of the wing, rather than on the shoulder. The pretty, thrush-like song consists of low whistles and burry notes in short phrases. 

Ceara Woodcreeper

Ceara Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus atlanticus

Small, slim woodcreeper with a thin slightly decurved bill. Found in humid forests, where it regularly follows mixed-species flocks. The rufous-brown body is heavily marked with drop-shaped spots on the breast, head, and back. Separated from Lesser Woodcreeper by range, blurry streaks on belly, and olive-yellow eyering, eyestripe, and throat.

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Trinidad Motmot | BirdLens