motmot

American  

[mot-mot] / ˈmɒt mɒt /

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.

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motmot British  

/ 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)

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Etymology

Origin of motmot

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

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

One morning, our guide said he heard a bird known as a motmot saying “snake!”

From Time