The Motmots (Family Momotidae) are colorful birds with characteristic long tails and heavy, slightly decurved bills. All Motmots occurring in Peru are predominantly green, blue and rufous, and have long tails. Only in one species, Amazonian Motmot (Momotus momota) has the two longest central tail feathers ending in a distinctive racket-like tip. The raquet-like tail feathers result from weakly attached feather barbs at the end of the tail. These bards fall off as a result of abrasion or regular preening by the bird itself leaving a length of bare shaft, thus
creating the racket shape of the tail. Motmots often move their tail back and forth in a wag-display that commonly draws attention to an otherwise hidden bird. Motmots are restricted to woodland forests. They eat small prey such as insects and lizards, and will also take fruit. They nest in tunnels in banks, laying about four white eggs. The eggs hatch after about 20 days, and the young leave the nest after another 30 days. Both parents care for the young. There are two genera and four species of Motmots known to occur in Peru. Photo: Rufous Motmot ©Mindoconection.
ALCEDINIDAE: Kingfishers – Martin Pescadores