Photo: John Gerrard Keulemans / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Andean Motmot
Momotus aequatorialis
Andean Motmot (Momotus aequatorialis) — Kingfishers & Rollers of South America.
Found across 3 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Andean Motmot (Momotus aequatorialis) is a member of the Momotidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 158 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Coraciiformes
- Family Momotidae Motmots
- Genus Momotus
- Species aequatorialis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 158 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Momotidae
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Andean Motmot is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Andean Motmot is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Andean Motmot (Momotus aequatorialis) is a species of bird in the Momotidae family, part of the order Coraciiformes. It is found across South America. Its distribution covers SA Andes from nc Colombia to w Bolivia.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 158 g, with a wing length of about 15.5 cm and a tail of around 28.2 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 97,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Andean Motmot?
The Andean Motmot is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 158 g.
Where does the Andean Motmot live?
The Andean Motmot is found across South America with a range covering SA Andes from nc Colombia to w Bolivia, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Andean Motmot belong to?
The Andean Motmot (Momotus aequatorialis) belongs to the Momotidae family, in the order Coraciiformes.
What does the Andean Motmot eat?
The Andean Motmot is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Andean Motmot migrate?
The Andean Motmot is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Andean Motmot endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Andean Motmot make?
1 real field recording of the Andean Motmot — including its duet — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Andean Motmot's range?
The Andean Motmot has a mapped global range of about 97,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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