Lesson's motmot (Momotus lessonii) 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.

Lesson's motmot
M. l. lessonii
Heredia, Costa Rica
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Coraciiformes
Family: Momotidae
Genus: Momotus
Species:
M. lessonii
Binomial name
Momotus lessonii
Lesson, 1842
Subspecies

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M. l. lessonii
showing tail feathers

Description

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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.

Subspecies

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The Lesson's motmot has three subspecies:

References

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  1. ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Momotus lessonii". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016. IUCN: e.T61634649A95173340. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T61634649A95173340.en. Retrieved 14 January 2018.