FaunaHub

Motmot (Eumomota superciliosa)

BirdNeotropicalColourful

Turquoise-browed motmot (Eumomota superciliosa) with a racket-tipped tail.

Turquoise-browed motmot (Eumomota superciliosa), Costa Rica.

Image: Bernard Gagnon, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Overview

Motmots (family Momotidae) are colourful birds of Central and South American forests, best known for their unusual tails. In many species, including the turquoise-browed motmot (Eumomota superciliosa) shown here, the two central tail feathers end in bare shafts tipped with broad “rackets,” giving a distinctive pendulum-like shape. Add a brilliant turquoise brow and a mix of green, blue, and rufous plumage, and the motmot is one of the most recognisable birds of the Neotropics.

Motmots have a curious habit of swinging that racket tail back and forth like a pendulum, which appears to signal to predators that they have been spotted.

Note: there are several motmot species; details here use the turquoise-browed motmot as a reference. Treat general statements as approximate and verify against authoritative sources.

Habitat & Range

Motmots live in forests, woodland edges, and shaded clearings from Mexico through Central America into South America, depending on the species. The turquoise-browed motmot favours drier, more open woodland and edges in Central America, where it often perches conspicuously on exposed branches or wires.

Diet

Motmots are mainly insectivores and carnivores, eating large insects, spiders, and small prey such as lizards, and also taking some fruit. They typically hunt by watching from a perch and sallying out to seize prey, then returning to a favoured lookout — a sit-and-wait style that suits their forest-edge habitat.

Behavior

The motmot's signature behaviour is wagging its racket-tipped tail from side to side like a pendulum. Studies suggest this is a “pursuit-deterrent” signal: by displaying that it has noticed a predator, the bird discourages a wasted chase. The distinctive racket shape forms as weak barbs near the feather tip fall away with wear and preening. Motmots nest in burrows that they dig into earth banks or slopes, where they raise their young.

Human Interaction & Conservation

Motmots are popular with birdwatchers and are cultural symbols in parts of their range — the turquoise-browed motmot is the national bird of El Salvador and Nicaragua. Most motmots remain reasonably widespread, though forest loss can affect them locally. Consult authoritative sources for species-specific status.

More photos of the motmot

A motmot perched, showing its long tail with bare-shafted racket tips.

Turquoise-browed motmot (Eumomota superciliosa).

Image: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently Asked Questions — Motmot

Why does a motmot have a 'racket' tail?
In many motmots, the two central tail feathers have a length of bare shaft ending in a broad paddle or 'racket.' This shape develops as the weakly attached barbs just above the tip wear off or are removed during preening, leaving the distinctive racket. The bird then swings this tail like a pendulum.
Why do motmots wag their tails?
Motmots often swing the racket tail side to side, and research suggests this is a pursuit-deterrent signal — a way of telling a watching predator 'I've seen you,' which makes a surprise attack pointless and discourages the predator from bothering to chase.
What do motmots eat?
They are mainly insectivores and small-prey hunters, taking large insects, spiders, and small animals like lizards, plus some fruit. Motmots usually watch from a perch and dart out to grab prey, returning to a regular lookout spot.
Where do motmots nest?
In burrows. Motmots excavate tunnels into earth banks, road cuttings, or slopes and nest at the end of these burrows. This underground nesting helps protect their eggs and chicks from many predators.

Sources and further reading

Authoritative wildlife references used for general educational context. Conservation status should always be verified against current IUCN Red List data. External links open in a new tab.