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Aracari · Monday 14th March 2005, 18:26

On saturday I went birding/photographing at an area of Serra do Mar (Atlantic Rainforest) near Sao Paulo. The area is still very well conserved and wild.

Anyway, I was exploring this mountain slope when I see a rufous-capped motmot flying at the under-canopy of a large tree, then I realize there were other motmots seating nearby, at least 4 from what I could see. They would fly in random patterns near the area. Could this be a lek formation to seduce a female ?? Are motmots known to do this? All the others motmots I have seen in that area or in the Amazon were always alone.

BTW, I've uploaded 2 pics of one of those motmots at the gallery.

thanks.

**Rasmus Boegh** · Monday 14th March 2005, 20:10

Motmots generally don't form active leaks, as they are monogamous and - from what is known so far - are comitted to their partner througout the year (their loud calls have been shown to play an important part in maintaining contact between the pairs - even from a distance). Hence, even when you see a single motmot the partner is likely to be in the area aswell. Their display is generally not particularly impressive, but involves handing over food or twigs to their partner (I've seen it beformed by Blue-crowned and Broad-billed). The four you saw are likely either to be the parent pair and their last offspring, or, perhaps even more probable, two couples battling over territory. BTW: In some areas Motmots don't display any form of territoriality, and even breed in colonies. This is usually associated with areas with high number of motmots where individual territories are impossble due space available. Regardless of what it was you witnessed - I'm sure it was exciting to watch!

Motmot · Monday 14th March 2005, 20:15

After checking the Handbook of the Birds of the World to get the whole picture of the family, I found that Motmots are not known to lek anywhere. In fact the usual is to keep pair bonds all year. Males help digging the nest, feeding the young etc, a behaviour not usual (known?) in lekking species.

Oooops, Rasmus you´re fast!

Aracari · Monday 14th March 2005, 21:32

Thanks guys, so I guess what I saw was a fight for territory. Oh well, it was just as exciting.

Monday 14th March 2005, 18:26	#1
Aracari Birding in Brazil Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Campinas, Brazil Posts: 495 Blog Entries: 17	Motmot behavior? On saturday I went birding/photographing at an area of Serra do Mar (Atlantic Rainforest) near Sao Paulo. The area is still very well conserved and wild. Anyway, I was exploring this mountain slope when I see a rufous-capped motmot flying at the under-canopy of a large tree, then I realize there were other motmots seating nearby, at least 4 from what I could see. They would fly in random patterns near the area. Could this be a lek formation to seduce a female ?? Are motmots known to do this? All the others motmots I have seen in that area or in the Amazon were always alone. BTW, I've uploaded 2 pics of one of those motmots at the gallery. thanks. __________________ My photo website

Monday 14th March 2005, 20:10	#2
Rasmus Boegh BF member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: right next door Posts: 3,804 My location	Motmots generally don't form active leaks, as they are monogamous and - from what is known so far - are comitted to their partner througout the year (their loud calls have been shown to play an important part in maintaining contact between the pairs - even from a distance). Hence, even when you see a single motmot the partner is likely to be in the area aswell. Their display is generally not particularly impressive, but involves handing over food or twigs to their partner (I've seen it beformed by Blue-crowned and Broad-billed). The four you saw are likely either to be the parent pair and their last offspring, or, perhaps even more probable, two couples battling over territory. BTW: In some areas Motmots don't display any form of territoriality, and even breed in colonies. This is usually associated with areas with high number of motmots where individual territories are impossble due space available. Regardless of what it was you witnessed - I'm sure it was exciting to watch! Last edited by Rasmus Boegh : Monday 14th March 2005 at 20:18.
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Monday 14th March 2005, 21:32	#4
Aracari Birding in Brazil Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Campinas, Brazil Posts: 495 Blog Entries: 17	Thanks guys, so I guess what I saw was a fight for territory. Oh well, it was just as exciting. __________________ My photo website

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Monday 14th March 2005, 20:15	#3
Motmot Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Central Spain Posts: 2,836 My location	After checking the Handbook of the Birds of the World to get the whole picture of the family, I found that Motmots are not known to lek anywhere. In fact the usual is to keep pair bonds all year. Males help digging the nest, feeding the young etc, a behaviour not usual (known?) in lekking species. Oooops, Rasmus you´re fast!

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