Russet-crowned Motmot

The Russet-crowned Motmot inhabits dry tropical forest and scrub in western Mexico, where it perches quietly in shaded understory or forest edge. Like other motmots, it draws attention mainly through its distinctive tail motion rather than loud vocal activity, and its warm-toned crown sets it apart from closely related green motmots.

The crown feathers are a warm rufous-brown, lacking the blue crown patch seen in some related motmots, and this color contrasts with green back and wing feathers. The tail is graduated with a long central pair ending in bare-shafted racket tips, identical in structure to other motmots. A blackish mask crosses through the eye, bordered narrowly by a thin blue line of feathers in some individuals. Flight feathers are green with a faint turquoise wash, shorter and less showy than the tail. Isolated crown feathers showing rufous-brown rather than blue or black are a useful clue for separating this species from other Momotus motmots.

Sexes are similar in plumage. Immature birds have a shorter tail lacking fully formed racket tips and a duller, less saturated crown color. As with other motmots, the racket tip forms gradually through feather wear following molt rather than growing in that shape directly.

This species is largely restricted to dry tropical forest, thorn scrub, and forest edge in western and central Mexico. It is a non-migratory resident, occupying stable home ranges year-round.

Russet-crowned Motmots take large insects and other small prey in short sallies from a perch, and excavate nest burrows into earthen banks. Their calls are low, hooting or clucking notes. The characteristic tail-swinging motion is displayed when the bird is alert, a trait shared across the motmot family.