Blue-crowned motmot – At our jungle lodge this bird forms part of the dawn chorus
10 January 2026 (386 visits)As one of the more than 600 bird species that live in our protected forests, the colorful blue-crowned motmot (Momotus coeruliceps) is one that both dedicated birdwatchers and our other guests particularly enjoy sighting, during the Amazon jungle trips we offer at our comfortable eco-lodge base.
The name “motmot” is inspired by this bird’s distinctive double-hoot call, which can be heard often in the forest around our lodge, particularly around dawn. It forms part of the chorus of birdsong and other sounds that greet our guests each morning during their stay with us in the Peruvian rainforest. Their double-hoot call is similar to that of an owl.
Also known as the blue-capped motmot, the blue-crowned motmot is a brightly-colored bird. Its plumage contains subtle shades of green and blue. Its eyes are red, and it exhibits a striking turquoise crown beneath a black face.
The nesting habits of the blue-crowned motmot are especially interesting. Together, a male and female dig the ground to form a tunnel-shaped structure that can be between 5 and 14 feet in length (1.50 to 4 meters), at the end of which they create a nesting chamber. Motmots build this nest during the rainy season, when the ground is soft, before leaving it and returning at the beginning of the dry season, when they breed. Motmot eggs are round and white and are incubated for around three weeks. Males and females share parental duties.
The blue-crowned motmot can be seen across a broad range, all the way from Mexico to the rainforest of southeastern Peru, where our jungle lodge is situated. Here in the protected Amazon rainforest of Tambopata, it is usually found near water sources, where it can often be spotted bathing. It feeds on fruits, and will also hunt for insects and worms, as well as small reptiles.
