Rufous-capped Motmot
Baryphthengus ruficapillus
Silhouette: Sofía Terán Sánchez · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderCoraciiformes (Rollers, Kingfishers, and Allies)
- FamilyMomotidae (Motmots)
- GenusBaryphthengus (Large Motmots)
- SpeciesBaryphthengus ruficapillus (Rufous-capped Motmot)
About the Rufous-capped Motmot
The rufous-capped motmot (Baryphthengus ruficapillus) is a species of bird in the family Momotidae. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. The rufous-capped motmot and rufous motmot (Baryphtengus martii) are the only two species in their genus, and have sometimes been treated as conspecific. The rufous-capped motmot is monotypic. Though subspecies have been proposed within its Brazilian population, the differences have been shown to be simply individual variation.
The rufous-capped motmot is 42 cm (17 in) long and weighs 140 to 151 g (4.9 to 5.3 oz). The adults are mostly green above and olive-green below. The crown and nape are rufous and a black "mask" has a turquoise border. The chest has a black spot, there is a rufous band across the belly, and the lower belly is blue-green. The juvenile is similarly colored but duller.
The rufous-capped motmot is found across southeastern Brazil, in eastern Paraguay, and in far northeastern Argentina. It inhabits primary and gallery forest, the latter mostly along watercourses. It ranges in elevation from near sea level to 1,200 m (3,900 ft). Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Rufous-capped Motmot in Itatiaia National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Itatiaia National Park
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Serra dos Órgãos National Park | 🇧🇷 Brazil | |
| 2 | Iguaçu National Park | 🇧🇷 Brazil | |
| 3 | Iguazú National Park | 🇦🇷 Argentina | |
| 4 | Itatiaia National Park | 🇧🇷 Brazil | |
| 5 | Serra da Canastra National Park | 🇧🇷 Brazil | |
| 6 | Tijuca National Park | 🇧🇷 Brazil |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Rufous-capped Motmot in Itatiaia National Park?
About 20% of wildlife watchers report a Rufous-capped Motmot sighting in Itatiaia National Park, based on 365 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Rufous-capped Motmot in Itatiaia National Park?
September has the highest sighting rate for Rufous-capped Motmot in Itatiaia National Park in our monthly data.