Broad-billed Motmot
Electron platyrhynchum
The Broad-billed Motmot (Electron platyrhynchum) is a uncommon motmot found in 9 countries, weighing about 73 g. The broad-billed motmot is a fairly common Central and South American bird of the Momotidae family.
About the Broad-billed Motmot
The broad-billed motmot is a fairly common Central and South American bird of the Momotidae family. They are nonmigratory, sedentary birds that are most frequently seen in singles or pairs. There exist six subspecies of the broad-billed motmot.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
At about 12 inches long, the broad-billed motmot is one of the smallest members of the family Momotidae. These birds weigh 60 grams on average. They have dark eyes and feet. Most of its upper body, including its head, neck and chest, is a cinnamon-rufous colour. There is a black patch on either side of its head that covers the cheeks and auricular area, as well as one on the centre of its chest. The lower half of its body is more greenish above and becomes more blueish below. The broad-billed motmot has a long tail that gradually changes from blue to black. Voice: The family Momotidae is small, but they have a wide variety of sounds. The broad-billed motmot's most utilized vocalization is its song, which they most often give at dawn. It is described as a nasal "cwaah" sound and it is generally repeated at long intervals, but it is sometimes done as a shorter and faster sequence, or as a duet.
What the Broad-billed Motmot sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
The Broad-billed Motmot can be seen all year round, with peak activity in March. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Broad-billed Motmot?
- At about 12 inches long, the broad-billed motmot is one of the smallest members of the family Momotidae. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Broad-billed Motmot?
- The Broad-billed Motmot is a medium sized bird weighing about 73 g.
- Where can you see a Broad-billed Motmot?
- The Broad-billed Motmot occurs in 9 countries, including Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Colombia and Peru.
- What does a Broad-billed Motmot sound like?
- You can listen to 2 field recordings of the Broad-billed Motmot on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Broad-billed Motmot?
- The Broad-billed Motmot is most easily confused with the Keel-billed Motmot.
- Is the Broad-billed Motmot endangered?
- The Broad-billed Motmot is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Broad-billed Motmot for real
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