Turquoise-Browed Motmot
Eumomota superciliosa
About This Species
A striking motmot of dry and semi-humid forest edge, scrub and plantations from Mexico to Costa Rica, easily recognised by its turquoise brow stripe and long racket-tipped tail, which it swings pendulum-like while perched. It sits quietly on low, exposed branches watching for insects and small prey, making it relatively easy to spot once located, especially near nesting burrows in earthen banks during the breeding season. Forest edges and shaded roadside cuttings are reliable places to look.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Watch from a respectful distance rather than approaching a perched bird directly, and take particular care near nest burrows dug into earthen banks, which are vulnerable to collapse or abandonment if disturbed.
- Protection status and enforcement vary across its Central American range, so check local rules, especially in areas outside formal reserves.
- Avoid handling or flushing birds near nest sites during the breeding season.
LCAvesCoraciiformesMomotidae
Seasonal Activity
148,355 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Family
- Momotidae
Photo
(c) José Antonio Linage Espinosa, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by José Antonio Linage Espinosa
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.