Lesson's Motmot or Broad-Billed Motmot?
Here's how to tell the difference
Lesson's Motmot
Broad-Billed Motmot
Lesson's Motmot
Momotus lessonii
Also known as: Blue-Diademed Motmot
General appearance
The Lesson's motmot, also known as the Blue-diademed motmot, is a colorful bird species known for its azure blue and emerald green plumage. It notably exhibits a unique racket-tipped tail and dramatic red eyes. This bird is medium-sized, averaging a length of 41-46 centimeters, with a heavyset body, a robust, slightly downward curved bill, and zygodactyl feet (two toes forward, two backward).
Male vs female
Both male and female Lesson's motmots exhibit similar coloration and outer appearance. Distinguishing sexes can be challenging due to their nearly identical plumage, with both featuring a blue crown, green body, blue belly, and black mask. Their significant difference comes with the males' slightly larger size compared to the females.
Juvenile
Juvenile Lesson's motmots resemble adults but their coloration is less vibrant, their tails are shorter and lack the unique racket tip characteristic of adult motmots. As they reach adulthood, their coloration intensifies and their tail grows longer, eventually forming a racket-like shape at the tip.
Size
15.0 - 16.9 in/2.7 - 5.2 oz
There's more to learn about Lesson's Motmot
View full detailsBroad-Billed Motmot
Electron platyrhynchum
General appearance
The broad-billed motmot is a colourful bird predominantly green in colour. They have a black mask around their eyes that contrasts sharply with their green plumage. Their lower belly is often light-blue or turquoise. The hallmark tail feathers, shaped like a racquetball racket at the end, have a black and turquoise pattern. The bird's bill is broad, strong, and has a reddish coloration.
Male vs female
In terms of coloration and physical traits, there are no significant differences between the male and female broad-billed motmot. Both sexes share the same vibrant colours and prominent tail feathers. This makes it challenging to differentiate gender in the field without behavioural observations.
Juvenile
Juvenile broad-billed motmots have a more dull colouration compared to the adults. The green is not as brilliant and the tail feathers are shorter and lacks the distinctive 'racquet' shape. As the young mature, their plumage becomes more vivid, and the tail feathers develop the unique shape.
Size
12.2 - 15.4 in/2.0 - 2.3 oz
There's more to learn about Broad-Billed Motmot
View full detailsHow to tell the Lesson's Motmot from the Broad-Billed Motmot
Visual differences
Lesson's Motmot (Momotus lessonii) is medium-sized, 16-18 inches long, with vibrant azure blue and emerald green plumage, a blue crown, blue belly, black mask, and distinctive racket-tipped tail. It has a robust, slightly curved bill and red eyes. In contrast, the Broad-Billed Motmot (Electron platyrhynchum), smaller at 12-15 inches, features predominantly green plumage with a light blue belly, black mask, and racquet-shaped tail with black and turquoise pattern. It has a broad, reddish bill and lacks the lessonii's striking blue crown and red eyes.
Key differences and behavior
Lesson's Motmot and Broad-Billed Motmot display key behavioral distinctions. Lesson's Motmot, often seen in Central America's forest edges or degraded areas, is strategic in its perching, known for swinging its long tail while waiting to catch insects. It adapts to artificial lights to hunt moths. Conversely, Broad-Billed Motmot, smaller and lighter (1.97-2.33 oz), remains largely sedentary in lowland and montane forests, capitalizing on its perch to ambush insects. While both species excavate burrow nests and share parental roles, the Lesson's lays more eggs (3-4) compared to the Broad-Billed (2-3). In terms of diet, both consume insects and fruits, but the Broad-Billed's agile flight aids in catching mid-air prey. Lastly, Lesson's Motmot actively visits feeders for fruit, unlike the elusive Broad-Billed, which favors denser habitats near feeders.
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