beema/dysithamnus

Natural History of Ecuador's Mainland Avifauna (NHEMA).

a project of the Yanayacu Natural History Research Group

Momotus aequatorialis, Highland Motmot

Family Momotidae, Order Coraciiformes

NHEMA Home

This page was created by Harold F. Greeney in 2005. It is updated periodically and should be cited in the manner outlined on the NHEMA species list page.

Abstract:

The Highland Motmot is distributed at middle elevations along the eastern slope of the Ecuadorian Andes. Formerly considered conspecific with Blue-crowned Motmot, it is separated by its more montane distribution and larger size. Like other motmots, it is known to prey upon vertebrates and invertebrates and to occasionally follow army ant swarms. It nests in long burrowed tunnels in earthen banks along streams and road cuts. Clutch size in the single described nest was 2. Most breeding probably occurs in the wetter months.

Relevant publications:

Greeney, H. F., L. H. Jamieson, R. C. Dobbs, P. R. Martin, & R. A. Gelis (In Review). Observations on the nest, eggs, and natural history of the Highland Motmot (Momotus aequatorialis) in eastern Ecuador. Ornitologia Neotropical

Ecuadorian breeding dates:

DATE

LOCATION

STAGE

SOURCE of data

February 2005

Hacienda San Isidro/ Yanayacu Biological Station, Napo

Incubating

Greeney et al. in review

April

Hacienda San Isidro/ Yanayacu Biological Station, Napo

Nestlings

Greeney et al. in review

May

Hacienda San Isidro/ Yanayacu Biological Station, Napo

Nestlings

Greeney et al. in review

January

Hacienda San Isidro/ Yanayacu Biological Station, Napo

Active nest

Greeney et al. in review

February

Hacienda San Isidro/ Yanayacu Biological Station, Napo

Active nests (x3)

Greeney et al. in review

March

Hacienda San Isidro/ Yanayacu Biological Station, Napo

Active nests (x5)

Greeney et al. in review

April

Hacienda San Isidro/ Yanayacu Biological Station, Napo

Active nest

Greeney et al. in review

May

Hacienda San Isidro/ Yanayacu Biological Station, Napo

Active nests (x3)

Greeney et al. in review

July

Hacienda San Isidro/ Yanayacu Biological Station, Napo

Active nests (x3)

Greeney et al. in review

November

Hacienda San Isidro/ Yanayacu Biological Station, Napo

Active nest

Greeney et al. in review

Photographs:

Eggs of M. aequatorialis

Egg # H05-107, 13 February 2005, Yanayacu Biological Station, Napo, Ecuador (Scale in millimeters)

Egg # H05-108, 13 February 2005, Yanayacu Biological Station, Napo, Ecuador (Scale in millimeters)

DATE	LOCATION	STAGE	SOURCE of data
February 2005	Hacienda San Isidro/ Yanayacu Biological Station, Napo	Incubating	Greeney et al. in review
April	Hacienda San Isidro/ Yanayacu Biological Station, Napo	Nestlings	Greeney et al. in review
May	Hacienda San Isidro/ Yanayacu Biological Station, Napo	Nestlings	Greeney et al. in review
January	Hacienda San Isidro/ Yanayacu Biological Station, Napo	Active nest	Greeney et al. in review
February	Hacienda San Isidro/ Yanayacu Biological Station, Napo	Active nests (x3)	Greeney et al. in review
March	Hacienda San Isidro/ Yanayacu Biological Station, Napo	Active nests (x5)	Greeney et al. in review
April	Hacienda San Isidro/ Yanayacu Biological Station, Napo	Active nest	Greeney et al. in review
May	Hacienda San Isidro/ Yanayacu Biological Station, Napo	Active nests (x3)	Greeney et al. in review
July	Hacienda San Isidro/ Yanayacu Biological Station, Napo	Active nests (x3)	Greeney et al. in review
November	Hacienda San Isidro/ Yanayacu Biological Station, Napo	Active nest	Greeney et al. in review


Egg # H05-107, 13 February 2005, Yanayacu Biological Station, Napo, Ecuador (Scale in millimeters)	Egg # H05-108, 13 February 2005, Yanayacu Biological Station, Napo, Ecuador (Scale in millimeters)