BIRD OF THE WEEK — BROAD-BILLED MOTMOT — PLANET EARTH BIRD WORLD group

 

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BIRD OF THE WEEK

BROAD-BILLED MOTMOT

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Electron platyrhynchum
POPULATION: Unknown
TREND: Decreasing
HABITAT: Humid lowland forest.

In the lowland forests of Central and South America, an attentive observer may hear a croaking “cwwaah” call, then see a slender, colorful bird sitting quietly on a vertical branch or vine, swinging its long, racquet-shaped tail back and forth.

This bird would be a Broad-billed Motmot, an inconspicuous but interesting species. Local people call the species el relojero, the clockmaker, because of the pendulum-like motion of its tail. This behavior may provide a message to potential predators: “I see you, so don’t waste your energy chasing me!”

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