How to Identify Momotidae

Momotidae is a animal family in the Animalia kingdom, order Coraciiformes, class Aves. The family contains 14 accepted species worldwide.

Key Identification Features

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Representative Momotidae Species

How to identify Baryphthengus ruficapillus (Vieillot, 1818)

Baryphthengus ruficapillus (Vieillot, 1818)

Baryphthengus ruficapillus (Vieillot, 1818)

Baryphthengus ruficapillus, the rufous-capped motmot, is a bird found in eastern…

How to identify Baryphthengus martii (Spix, 1824)

Baryphthengus martii (Spix, 1824)

Baryphthengus martii (Spix, 1824)

Baryphthengus martii, the rufous motmot, is a large neotropical bird with two ge…

How to identify Momotus bahamensis (Swainson, 1838)

Momotus bahamensis (Swainson, 1838)

Momotus bahamensis (Swainson, 1838)

The Trinidad motmot is a nonmigratory bird endemic only to Trinidad and Tobago w…

How to identify Electron platyrhynchum (Leadbeater, 1829)

Electron platyrhynchum (Leadbeater, 1829)

Electron platyrhynchum (Leadbeater, 1829)

This is a summary of the description, range, habitat, and reproduction of the sm…

How to identify Hylomanes momotula M.H.K.Lichtenstein, 1839

Hylomanes momotula M.H.K.Lichtenstein, 1839

Hylomanes momotula M.H.K.Lichtenstein, 1839

The tody motmot, Hylomanes momotula, is the smallest motmot, found in humid fore…

How to identify Momotus lessonii R.Lesson, 1842

Momotus lessonii R.Lesson, 1842

Momotus lessonii R.Lesson, 1842

Momotus lessonii R.Lesson, 1842 is a forest bird with distinct plumage markings …

How to identify Eumomota superciliosa (Sandbach, 1837)

Eumomota superciliosa (Sandbach, 1837)

Eumomota superciliosa (Sandbach, 1837)

The turquoise-browed motmot (Eumomota superciliosa) is a colourful Central Ameri…

How to identify Momotus mexicanus Swainson, 1827

Momotus mexicanus Swainson, 1827

Momotus mexicanus Swainson, 1827

Momotus mexicanus, the russet-crowned motmot, is a small bird found in western M…

How to identify Electron carinatum (Du Bus de Gisignies, 1847)

Electron carinatum (Du Bus de Gisignies, 1847)

Electron carinatum (Du Bus de Gisignies, 1847)

The keel-billed motmot is a smallish Central American motmot with a distinctive …

How to identify Momotus subrufescens P.L.Sclater, 1853

Momotus subrufescens P.L.Sclater, 1853

Momotus subrufescens P.L.Sclater, 1853

Momotus subrufescens (whooping motmot) is a colorful motmot with four subspecies…

How to identify Momotus momota (Linnaeus, 1766)

Momotus momota (Linnaeus, 1766)

Momotus momota (Linnaeus, 1766)

Momotus momota, the Amazonian motmot, is a green-plumaged South American bird wi…

How to identify Momotus aequatorialis Gould, 1858

Momotus aequatorialis Gould, 1858

Momotus aequatorialis Gould, 1858

The Andean (highland) motmot is a colorful near-passerine bird resident in Andea…

Browse all 14 Momotidae species →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you identify Momotidae?

Momotidae animals belong to the Coraciiformes order in the Animalia kingdom. Adult individuals have a short black streak across the breast, a feature that is absent in juveniles, along with the lack of blue breast feathers, which allows easy age identification. For instant identification, use the iNature app — AI-powered and works offline.

What are the key characteristics of Momotidae?

Momotidae is classified in the order Coraciiformes, class Aves, phylum Chordata. It features a blue supercilium, a black mask with a white stripe running below the mask, a white throat, a greenish breast with light streaks, and a white belly.

Sources: GBIF, iNaturalist, Wikipedia · Disclaimer

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