Trinidad Motmot at Blue Waters Inn

Sightings
This Trinidad Motmot at Blue Waters Inn was perched on a bare branch in the grounds of the hotel. During our previous visit to the hotel in 2003, a Trinidad Motmot flew into the dining room during dinner one evening. The species is only found on Trinidad and Tobago following recent splits. It was recorded on several days of our trip and was found to be more common on Tobago than Trinidad as mentioned by our Tobago guide on several occasions who believed that the species should be renamed Tobago Motmot.

Species
Trinidad Motmot Momotus bahamensis is a colourful bird endemic to the forests and woodlands of Trinidad and Tobago. These birds often sit still, and in their dense forest habitat can be difficult to see, despite their size. They eat small prey such as insects and lizards, and will also regularly take fruit. Like most of the Coraciiformes, motmots nest in tunnels in banks, laying about three or four white eggs.

Status and Distribution
Trinidad Motmot is a species of least concern with a stable population within a range of 11,700 square kilometres. It was previously known as Blue-crowned Motmot M. momota before this species was split into six new species in 2009.

References
BirdLife; Wikipedia; Kenefick, M., Restall, R., and Hayes, F. (2015) Birds of Trinidad and Tobago, Bloomsbury Publishing, page 170.

Photograph
Taken in dull early evening light at 1/100th second, f5.6 and ISO 3200.