Andean Motmot (Momotus aequatorialis)

Order: Coraciiformes | Family: Momotidae  | IUCN Status: Least Concern

Identification & Behavior: ~47 cm (18.5 in). The Andean Motmot has green upperparts that shade into blue towards the wings. The underparts are greenish tawny. The crown is bright blue with a  black center.

It has a black mask fringed with blue and a long tail with a bare-shafted racket tip. Andean Motmot is larger, overall greener, and range at higher elevations than closely related Amazonian Motmot. Also, see Whooping Motmot.

Status: Fairly common in montane forest at elevations ranging from 1000 -2400 m. It also occurs in Co, Ec, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Relojero Andino.

Sub-species: Andean Motmot (Momotus aequatorialis) Gould, 1858.

Meaning of Name: Momotus:  A word derived from the word Motmot, which is supposed to be the native Mexican name for Motmots. aequatorialis: occurring in or originating from an Equatorial region. A Motmot that occurs near the Equatorial region of South America.