Blue-crowned Motmot Momotus momota

Motmots are medium-sized, colourful birds related to kingfishers and rollers. The Blue-crowned Motmot has an extensive range covering Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and much of South America.

Male and female have similar plumage. The racket-shaped tail plumes, on both males and females (unusually for birds) are used as an additional means of communication.

Showing the Blue Crown. There are many subspecies over its range and while most have a blue circle with a black cap, subspecies M. m. coeruliceps (sometimes treated as a full species M. coeruliceps) has an entirely blue crown/cap. The underside can be orange (as shown) or light green depending on subspecies. Other subspecies are also sometimes treated as full species.