Andean Motmot Momotus aequatorialis Scientific name definitions

The Andean Motmot is, as the English name implies, the Andean representative of the widespread "Blue-crowned Motmot" complex. For many years, all members of this group were considered to be conspecific, but this group now is reclassified as representing five different species. The Andean Motmot occurs in humid montane forests of the Andes mountains of South America, from Colombia south to Bolivia. In most portions of its range, it is replaced at lower elevations by the similar, but smaller, Amazonian Motmot (Momotus momota). The Andean Motmot shares many features in common with other "Blue-crowned Motmots," such as the black center of the crown, bordered below with a broad blue band; the broad black line (or "mask") through the eye; and the long tail with "racquet" tips. The Andean Motmot is very green on the underparts, however, lacking the tawny tones that present on other "Blue-crowned Motmots," and it also differs in some details of the facial pattern and in the color of the racquets. As in other motmots, the nest is at the end of a long tunnel in the ground. There is very little information on most aspects of the life history of the Andean Motmot.