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Momotidae:
The motmots or Momotidae are a family of tropical birds in the order Coraciiformes, which also includes the kingfishers, bee-eaters and rollers. These are medium-sized near passerine species of dense forests. They are restricted to the tropical New World (though a fossil has been found in Switzerland). These birds have soft plumage and long, graduated tails, which they move back and forth. In all but the first two species listed below, the barbs near the ends of the two longest (central) tail feathers are weak and fall off, leaving a length of bare shaft but barbs at the end; thus the tails are racquet-shaped. Motmots eat small prey such as insects and lizards, and will also take fruit. Like most of the Coraciiformes, motmots nest in tunnels in banks, laying about four white eggs. |
