Lesson's Motmot
Momotus lessonii
Also known as: Blue-Diademed Motmot, Lesson's Blue-Crowned Motmot
About This Species
Look for this motmot sitting motionless on a mid-level branch in humid forest, forest edge or shaded gardens from Mexico through Panama, where its long tail swings side to side like a pendulum when it is alert. The greenish body, blue crown band and black facial mask make it distinctive once spotted, and a low, hooting call at dawn or dusk often gives away its position before you see it. It is easiest to find in the early morning or late afternoon when activity picks up and light filters through the canopy.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- This species tends to tolerate a stationary, quiet observer reasonably well since it relies on staying still rather than fleeing, but keep a respectful distance and avoid crowding the perch, particularly if it is near a nest burrow in an earthen bank.
- Wildlife protection laws differ across its Central American range, so rely on the general principle of not approaching nesting sites or handling birds rather than assuming any single country's rule applies everywhere.
- Give right of way if the bird begins calling persistently or shifting position, as that can indicate stress.
LCAvesCoraciiformesMomotidae
Seasonal Activity
263,082 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Family
- Momotidae
Photo
Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons
CC-BY-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.