Whooping Motmot

Identification

The whooping motmot is a strikingly colorful bird with distinctive plumage that makes it recognizable in its forest habitat. Its back and wings are olive-green, contrasting with dull brown underparts. The crown is black and surrounded by a bright blue band, while a black eyemask bordered in turquoise gives it a masked appearance. The most eye-catching feature is its long tail, which ranges from green to blue with extended feathers that terminate in dramatic racquet-shaped tips, tipped with blue and black. This small to medium-sized bird weighs between 75 and 124 grams.

Range & Habitat

The whooping motmot is found across northwestern South America, with populations in Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. The species has four recognized subspecies with somewhat disjunct ranges: the nominate form occurs from eastern Panama through northern and western Colombia; another subspecies inhabits the Guajira Peninsula in northern Colombia; a third ranges from eastern Colombia into northwestern Venezuela; and the fourth is found in western Ecuador and northwestern Peru. These birds favor several types of forest environments, including lowland evergreen and deciduous primary forests, forest edges, and secondary growth forests.

Behaviour & Diet

Like other motmots in the order Coraciiformes, the whooping motmot nests in long tunnels excavated into earth banks, a characteristic shared across the family. The species' diet remains relatively poorly documented, though it is believed to feed primarily on large arthropods. Additionally, it has been recorded eating berries and small lizards, suggesting a varied diet adapted to available forest resources.

Best Time & Places to See It

To find whooping motmots, focus on suitable forest habitats throughout their range in northwestern South America, particularly in primary and secondary forests and forest edge zones. The bird's presence in multiple countries and habitat types offers several opportunities for observation, though specific seasonal patterns are not well documented. Your best approach is to search appropriate forest habitats methodically, listening for the bird's distinctive vocalizations.

Photography Tips

The whooping motmot's vibrant plumage and long tail make it an attractive photographic subject. The striking blue crown band, turquoise-bordered eyemask, and ornate tail feathers with racquet tips provide excellent compositional elements. The bird's relatively small size means you'll benefit from a telephoto lens. Since it inhabits forest environments, be prepared for challenging lighting conditions typical of forest interiors, and patience will be essential when searching through the canopy and mid-story vegetation.