Broad-billed Motmot
Electron platyrhynchum
Medium-sized forest dweller that sits motionless on horizontal branches in the mid-story. Head and breast rufous-orange with black mask and breast spot. Green back and belly; long tail. Most similar to larger Rufous Motmot; note size and greenish chin. Often found singly or in pairs inside forest, usually below canopy. Listen for single froglike call “aww.”
Identification
At about 12 inches long, the broad-billed motmot is one of the smallest members of the family Momotidae. These birds weigh 60 grams on average. They have dark eyes and feet. Most of its upper body, including its head, neck and chest, is a cinnamon-rufous colour. There is a black patch on either side of its head that covers the cheeks and auricular area, as well as one on the centre of its chest. The lower half of its body is more greenish above and becomes more blueish below. The broad-billed motmot has a long tail that gradually changes from blue to black. It also has two racquet-shaped central feathers are much longer than the rest. As its name suggests, the broad-billed motmot has a broad, flattened bill. Its bill is black, has serrated edges, and has a keel on the upper mandible. This species does not demonstrate sexual dimorphism, which means that both the male and female look alike.<p>Juveniles of this species are duller and darker than the adults. They also have white on their bill and a blue-green streak over their eye.<p>The broad-billed motmot looks nearly identical to the rufous motmot (Baryphthengus martii) but it has a few discerning characteristics. It is smaller and has a larger black patch compared to the rufous motmot, as well as a blue-green chin.
Taxonomy
The broad-billed motmot is a part of the family Momotidae, in the order Coraciiformes.<p>This species has six subspecies, three of which make up a distinctive group that some consider to be their own species. They are called the "plain-tailed motmots" and this is because they lack tail racquets.<p>platyhynchum Group<p>pyrrholaemum Group<p>
- Scientific name
- Electron platyrhynchum
- Authority
- (Leadbeater, 1829)
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Family
- Momotidae
- Genus
- Electron
Range and habitat
Its range encompasses the eastern side of Central America from Honduras to Panama, and it extends into many countries in north-western South America, including Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil.<p>This bird resides in humid forests, warm lowlands and foothills, and is found at elevations below 3,000 ft (910 m).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The family Momotidae is small, but they have a wide variety of sounds. The broad-billed motmot's most utilized vocalization is its song, which they most often give at dawn. It is described as a nasal "cwaah" sound and it is generally repeated at long intervals, but it is sometimes done as a shorter and faster sequence, or as a duet. Their call, which is heard less commonly, is a quiet string of "tuk" sounds that occasionally develops into a rattle.<p>The broad-billed motmot is considered to be primarily insectivorous. Their diet is made up in large part by insects and their larvae. However, they also feed on spiders, centipedes, scorpions, as well as some small vertebrates such as snakes, frogs, and lizards. When they are in season and abundant, this bird will predominantly eat cicadas. Unlike other species of the Momotidae family, broad-billed motmots do not consume fruits.<p>This bird species hunts in a way that saves energy, by examining their surroundings until they spot a prey of interest. They then perform a hunting method called a "sally-strike" to snatch their prey, before returning to their perch to feed.<p>In Costa Rica, the broad-billed motmot lays its eggs between February and May. On average, this species has a clutch size of 2 or 3 eggs. These socially monogamous birds nest in an earth-bank burrow and both parents take turns incubating the eggs, though the females often have longer shifts. It is not known exactly for how long broad-billed motmot eggs are incubated. The birds hatch both naked and blind, and parents also share the responsibility of feeding their young.
Conservation
The broad-billed motmot is considered to be a species of least concern by the IUCN Red List of 2016. It is common within its range, but populations are being negatively affected by deforestation.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Long-billed Pipit
Anthus similis
A large, slender pipit with considerable variation across its range. African and South Asian birds average browner, warmer-colored, and more heavily streaked on the breast than the grayer-toned Middle Eastern subspecies. All subspecies possess a pale eyebrow, a long tail, and a relatively long bill. As with many other pipits, can be frustratingly difficult to identify in the field; habitat and voice are important clues. Prefers dry, open areas with clumps of vegetation and scattered rocks and boulders, typically on slopes. Calls include squeaky sparrow-like chirps and sweet two-noted whistles. Song doesn’t quite sound like a song: a sequence of plaintive whistles, two-noted chirps, and other call-like vocalizations strung together with pauses in between.
Arabian Grosbeak
Rhynchostruthus percivali
Handsome chunky gray-brown finch with a massive dark bill. Brown hood, white ear-patches, and brightly contrasting golden stripes in the dark wings and tail make this an easily recognizable species. Female has a less well-defined hood than the male, and less yellow in the tail. Juvenile is buffier (including ear-patches) and more streaky. An uncommon resident of woodland, dry scrubby rocky terrain, slopes and river beds, restricted to the southern Arabian Peninsula. Typically forages singly, in pairs, or in groups of up to 30, either on the ground, or in trees where they occasionally dangle by their feet like parrots. Song is a pleasant rolling series of sweet notes, with an almost thrush-like quality. Call a quick whip-like “weet.”
Eurasian Nuthatch
Sitta europaea
Classic nuthatch, with a long pointed bill, short tail, and black mask; color of underparts varies across range, from peachy-buff to snow-white and orangish. Usually seen as singles or pairs, hitching along trunks and larger branches in deciduous and mixed woodlands and gardens, or visiting bird feeders. Acts a bit like a mini-woodpecker, but does not use its tail for support and sometimes goes downwards head-first. Often feeds in the canopy, but also feeds on the ground where seeds have fallen. Easily overlooked until rather loud ringing calls are learned. Compare with other nuthatches where ranges overlap.
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