Amazonian motmot

Appearance

The Amazonian motmot's plumage varies among the subspecies. The bodies of all are shades of green. All have a long tail that has extended feathers with racquet tips that are green or black. Most have a black eyemask, though their size and shape differ. The central crown is black and surrounded or partially bordered by a blue band. The nominate subspecies has a chestnut nape. Momotus momota ignobilis and M. m. cametensis have more extensive chestnut on the neck and face.

Distribution

Geography

Continents

North America, South America

Countries

Ecuador, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela

Regions

French Guiana

Biogeographical realms

Nearctic, Neotropical

The Amazonian motmot is widely distributed in South America east of the Andes. Nine subspecies are recognized:

Momotus momota momota - eastern Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and northern Brazil
M. m. microstephanus - southeastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, and northwestern Brazil
M. m. ignobilis - eastern Peru and western Brazil
M. m. nattereri - northeasten Bolivia
M. m. simplex - western to west central Brazil south of the Amazon
M. m. cametensis - north central Brazil
M. m. parensis - northeastern Brazil
M. m. marcgravianus - eastern Brazil
M. m. pilcomajensis - southern Bolivia, southern Brazil, and northwestern Argentina

Throughout its range the Amazonian motmot inhabits the interior and edges of humid lowand forest. It is found up to 1,200 m (3,900 ft) in Venezuela, to 1,000 m (3,300 ft) in Ecuador, and to 750 m (2,460 ft) in Peru.