Nature Field Guide
Lesson’s Motmot
- Spanish name
- Momoto coroniazul
- Scientific name
- Momotus lessonii
What Do Pico & Tati Think?
Pico: “Its tail has tiny paddles!”
Tati: “They are feather tips. Let’s compare the crown with our other motmot.”
Species overview
About the Lesson’s Motmot
Lesson’s motmot combines green upperparts with warmer underparts, a blue crown around a dark central area and a broad dark eye mask. A small dark patch marks the upper chest.
The long central tail feathers can end in racket-shaped tips. It often sits quietly in shaded vegetation, making a colorful bird surprisingly easy to miss. Compare its head and tail with the turquoise-browed motmot already in the guide.
Identification
Key Features of the Lesson’s Motmot
Blue crown with dark center
Dark eye mask
Long central tail feathers with racket tips
Habitat & range
Pacific lowlands and middle elevations, the Central Valley and locally northern areas. In the dry northwest it is associated especially with gallery forest. Most Caribbean lowlands are outside its usual range.
Local observations
Costa Rica: resident.
When to observe
A resident bird; suitable habitat matters throughout the year. Quiet morning observation is a useful starting point, with activity varying by weather and location.
Conservation & care
Observe quietly from trails or established viewing areas. Give nests, roosts and feeding birds space. Do not handle, chase or lure birds with playback. Keep pets away from wildlife.
Threats & pressures
Protect native vegetation, reduce collision hazards around glass and keep cats away from birds. These are practical prevention priorities, not a claim of a measured decline at a specific Costa Rican site.
Observation activity
Compare the crown and tail of the two motmot species in verified photographs.
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Central Pacific · Central Valley · Guanacaste · Northern Plains · Puntarenas & the Gulf Islands · South Pacific · Outdoor Adventures · Wildlife & Animals