Keel-billed Motmot

About the Keel-billed Motmot

The keel-billed motmot (Electron carinatum) is a Vulnerable species of bird in the motmot family Momotidae. It is found in Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua. The keel-billed motmot was formally described as Pionites carinatus. It was later referred to as Prionirhynchus carinatus but eventually was renamed Electron carinatum.

The keel-billed motmot is thought to be closely related to the broad-billed motmot (E. platyrhynchum); they are the only members of the genus Electron. The two may be conspecific. Their plumage is very different but their structure and vocalizations are very similar.

The keel-billed motmot is monotypic. The keel-billed motmot is 30.5 to 38 cm (12 to 15 in) long; one male weighed 65 g (2.3 oz). It is a smallish member of the motmot family. The sexes have the same plumage. Adults have a rufus forehead and a black "mask" with a turquoise-blue arc above it on an otherwise green face. Their upper parts are also green. Their chin is pale turquoise. Their underparts are mostly rufous in the northern part of their range becoming greenish to greenish cinnamon in the south. Their chest has a black... Wikipedia →