Lesson's motmot facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lesson's motmot
M. l. lessonii Heredia, Costa Rica
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Momotus
Species:	lessonii
Subspecies
See text

M. l. lessonii
showing tail feathers

The Lesson's motmot (Momotus lessonii) is a very colorful bird. It is also called the blue-diademed motmot. You can find this bird in forests and woodlands. It lives from southern Mexico to western Panama. This species was once thought to be the same as other motmots. These included the blue-capped, whooping, Trinidad, Amazonian, and Andean motmots. Now, scientists know they are different species.

What Does a Lesson's Motmot Look Like?

Lesson's motmots are easy to spot because of their bright colors. They have a black area on the top of their head. This black part is surrounded by a bright blue band. They also have a black mask around their eyes. This makes them look like they are wearing a bandit mask!

Their tail feathers are also special. They have two long central tail feathers. These feathers have bare shafts with a small tuft of feathers at the end. It looks like a little racket.

Where Do Lesson's Motmots Live?

These birds live in dense forests. They also like woodlands. Even though they are quite big, they can be hard to see. This is because they often sit very still. They blend in well with the trees and plants around them.

What Do Lesson's Motmots Eat?

Lesson's motmots are not picky eaters. They enjoy small animals like insects and lizards. They also like to eat fruit. They are good at finding food in their forest homes.

How Do Lesson's Motmots Nest?

Like most motmots, these birds build their nests in tunnels. They dig these tunnels into banks of soil. Inside the tunnel, the female motmot lays about three or four eggs. Their eggs are white.

Different Types of Lesson's Motmots

The Lesson's motmot has three different types, called subspecies. These are slightly different groups within the same species. They live in different areas:

• M. l. goldmani - You can find this type in southwestern Mexico and northern Guatemala.
• M. l. exiguus - This type lives in Campeche and Yucatán, which are in southern Mexico.
• M. l. lessonii - This type is found from Chiapas (southern Mexico) all the way to western Panama.