motmot

[ mot-mot ]

noun

1. any of several tropical and subtropical American birds of the family Momotidae, related to the kingfishers, having a serrate bill and chiefly greenish and bluish plumage.

motmot

/ ˈmɒtmɒt /

noun

1. any tropical American bird of the family Momotidae, having a long tail and blue and brownish-green plumage: order Coraciiformes (kingfishers, etc)

Word History and Origins

Origin of motmot¹

First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin American Spanish, from New Latin motmot; repetitive compound of imitative origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of motmot¹

C19: from American Spanish, imitative of the bird's call

Example Sentences

“Sometime on the third day,” he wrote, “I could again see rainforest colors and delight in the flight of a basilisk across a stream or the primeval look of a motmot in bamboo.”

From New York Times

In two hours we see more than 30 species, including the spectacular blue-crowned motmot, plus a gang of spider monkeys.

From The Guardian

That goal was achieved in May, when the motmot duo hatched three chicks.

From Washington Times

Also visible to the eagle-eyed will be the rainbow-hued motmot, the national bird of Nicaragua.

From Washington Times

Sure enough, we soon found the excited motmot up in some high branches, fluttering around a Cook’s tree-boa, alerting other birds and blowing the snake’s stealth.

From Time