Lesson's Motmot
Momotus lessonii
The Lesson's Motmot (Momotus lessonii) is a common motmot found in 8 countries, weighing about 115 g. Lesson's motmot or the blue-diademed motmot, is a colorful near-passerine bird found in forests and woodlands of southern Mexico to western Panama.
About the Lesson's Motmot
Lesson's motmot or the blue-diademed motmot, is a colorful near-passerine bird found in forests and woodlands of southern Mexico to western Panama. This species and the blue-capped motmot, whooping motmot, Trinidad motmot, Amazonian motmot, and Andean motmot were all considered conspecific.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The central crown is black and surrounded by a blue band. There is a black eyemask. The call is a low owl-like ooo-doot. These birds often sit still, and in their dense forest habitat can be difficult to see, despite their size. They eat small prey such as insects and lizards, and will also regularly take fruit. Like most of the Coraciiformes, motmots nest in tunnels in banks, laying about three or four white eggs.
What the Lesson's Motmot sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
The Lesson's 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 Lesson's Motmot?
- The central crown is black and surrounded by a blue band. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Lesson's Motmot?
- The Lesson's Motmot is a medium sized bird weighing about 115 g.
- Where can you see a Lesson's Motmot?
- The Lesson's Motmot occurs in 8 countries, including Costa Rica, Guatemala, Belize, Mexico and Honduras.
- What does a Lesson's Motmot sound like?
- You can listen to a field recording of the Lesson's Motmot on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Lesson's Motmot?
- The Lesson's Motmot is most easily confused with the Andean Motmot, the Amazonian Motmot and the Whooping Motmot.
- Is the Lesson's Motmot endangered?
- The Lesson's Motmot is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Lesson's Motmot for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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