Motmots In Costa Rica: Colors, Calls, And Where To Find Them
- 01. Motmots in Costa Rica: Colors, Calls, and Where to Find Them
- 02. Why Motmots Matter in Costa Rican Birding
- 03. Six Motmot Species You Can See in Costa Rica
- 04. Colors and Tail Adaptations
- 05. Where to Find Motmots by Region
- 06. Typical Motmot Calls and Listening Tips
- 07. Quick Field Guide: Motmot Species Comparison
- 08. Best Times and Tours for Motmot Viewing
- 09. Animal Behavior and Habitat Use
- 10. Conservation Status and Local Efforts
- 11. Photographing Motmots in Costa Rica
- 12. Local Culture and the Name "Motmot"
- 13. How to Plan a Motmot-Focused Trip
Motmots in Costa Rica: Colors, Calls, and Where to Find Them
In Costa Rica, motmots are colorful, medium-sized neotropical birds that live in forests, forest edges, and some dry-forest scrublands from sea level up to about 1,500 meters. At least six species occur in the country, including the blue-crowned motmot, the turquoise-browed motmot, the rufous motmot, the broad-billed motmot, the keel-billed motmot, and the tiny tody motmot, each with a distinctive call, habitat preference, and field mark. Birders pursuing Costa Rican motmots typically hear a low "whoop-whoop" or "bo-bo" call and then scan a shaded perch to catch a glimpse of that long, racket-tipped tail before the bird vanishes back into the foliage.
Why Motmots Matter in Costa Rican Birding
Motmots are among the most visually striking residents of Costa Rican forests, combining emerald green plumage, blue or turquoise accents, and that unmistakable tail. Their presence signals relatively healthy, structurally complex forest because many species depend on earth banks or ravines for burrowed nest tunnels and need a mix of shade and open perches for foraging. Field studies from 2018-2023 recorded motmots in roughly 78% of lowland and mid-elevation forest transects in Costa Rica, suggesting they are common but not universal, especially in heavily fragmented landscapes.
Beyond aesthetics, motmots contribute to ecological processes by spreading fruit seeds and regulating insect and small-vertebrate populations. A 2021 dietary analysis of blue-crowned motmots in the Sarapiquí region found that roughly 60% of their diet consisted of insects, 25% of arachnids, and 15% of small lizards and frogs, including some poison-dart frogs. This mix of insectivory and frugivory positions them as mid-level forest predators that help maintain balance in the understory.
Six Motmot Species You Can See in Costa Rica
Ornithologists and bird-tour companies recognize six motmot species regularly occurring in Costa Rica, though experience varies widely by region and elevation. The blue-crowned motmot and turquoise-browed motmot are the most widespread; the rufous motmot, broad-billed motmot, keel-billed motmot, and tody motmot are more habitat-specific and often considered "target" species for serious birders.
Here is a brief overview of these six birds, ordered roughly by how often they are encountered by casual visitors:
- Blue-crowned motmot - Common in Pacific lowlands and dry forest edges; vivid blue crown, chestnut underparts, and long green tail with racket tips.
- Turquoise-browed motmot - Frequent in Guanacaste and northern Puntarenas; turquoise stripe above the eye, olive-green body, and a deep, guttural "whoop-whoop" call.
- Rufous motmot - Shy, lowland Caribbean rainforest dweller; rich rufous body, blue wings, and a soft, repetitive "bo-bo" whistle.
- Broad-billed motmot - Broad white-tipped tail, chunky green body, and a loud, accelerating "prrrt-prrrt-prrrt" call in Caribbean lowlands.
- Keel-billed motmot - Medium-sized, green-overall with rufous forehead and black mask, plus a distinctively broad, keeled bill; calls are lower-pitched "hoop-hoop" notes.
- Tody motmot - The smallest, only about 20 cm long; short tail, bright green head, and a high-pitched "keek-keek" that can be easy to miss in noisy forest.
Colors and Tail Adaptations
All Costa Rican motmots share a general emerald-green body blueprint, but each species overlays this with unique facial and crown markings. The blue-crowned motmot, for example, sports a vivid cerulean circle of feathers around the eye and a broader blue crown, while the turquoise-browed motmot is named for its bright turquoise supercilium above dark lores. These colors are most obvious in clear morning light when the bird perches on a bare branch or roadside wire, scanning for prey.
The most famous motmot trait is the racket-shaped tail tip. Each tail feather has a weak point near the end, and the barbs beyond that break off, leaving a bare shaft with a flat "racket" at the tip. This structure is not a molt phase but a stable adaptation that appears in adults after their first year. The "wag-display," in which a motmot swings its tail back and forth, is thought to function as a predator-detection signal, possibly advertising the bird's awareness and dissuading stalking snakes or raptors.
Where to Find Motmots by Region
Location is key for seeing specific Costa Rican motmot species. The Pacific slope, especially the dry forest of Guanacaste and north-western Puntarenas, is prime for the turquoise-browed motmot and blue-crowned motmot. These birds readily use scrubby edges, fences, and roadside perches, so guided birding tours along the Arenal Peninsula Road or near Cerro Lodge in the Guanacaste dry forest frequently tally both species in a single morning.
On the Caribbean slope, the rufous motmot and broad-billed motmot prefer lowland and foothill rainforest around the Sarapiquí basin, La Selva Biological Station, and Laguna del Lagarto. These sites have tall second-growth and riparian corridors where motmots can dig nest tunnels into riverbanks or road cuts and then perch quietly on inner branches. The northern volcanic foothills, including the Rincon de la Vieja and Tenorio massifs, are the best bets for the keel-billed motmot and tody motmot, where moist understory and ravines provide ideal cover.
Typical Motmot Calls and Listening Tips
Most Costa Rican motmots are more often heard than seen, so learning their vocalizations greatly increases detection rates. The blue-crowned motmot utters a slow, spaced "whoop-whoop-whoop" that can carry across a forest opening, while the turquoise-browed motmot drops a deeper, slightly frog-like "bo-bo-bo." The Caribbean species tend toward higher-pitched patterns: the rufous motmot repeats a soft "bo-bo" at a steady rhythm, and the broad-billed motmot emits a rising trill that can resemble a mechanical toy.
To maximize your chances, plan field time around dawn and dusk, when motmots are most active. A 2020 playback survey in the Sarapiquí lowlands found that over 85% of detectable motmot calls occurred between 05:30 and 08:00, with a secondary peak around 17:00-18:30. Standing still near a riparian zone or along a forested road cut and listening carefully for repetitive low notes can yield several motmot species in a single location.
Quick Field Guide: Motmot Species Comparison
The following table summarizes key traits of the six motmot species that occur in Costa Rica. All values are approximate averages based on field guides and recent surveys.
| Species | Typical habitat | Length (cm) | Distinctive mark | Common call pattern |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue-crowned motmot | Pacific lowlands, dry forest edges | ~34 | Blue crown and eye-ring | Slow "whoop-whoop-whoop" |
| Turquoise-browed motmot | Guanacaste, northern Puntarenas | ~35 | Turquoise eyebrow stripe | Deep "bo-bo-bo" |
| Rufous motmot | Caribbean lowland rainforest | ~36 | Rufous body, blue wings | Soft, rhythmic "bo-bo" |
| Broad-billed motmot | Caribbean lowlands, forest edges | ~33 | White-tipped tail, green body | Accelerating "prrrt-prrrt" |
| Keel-billed motmot | Northern Caribbean foothills | ~31 | Keel-like bill, rufous forehead | Low "hoop-hoop" |
| Tody motmot | Moist understory, Rincon de la Vieja | ~20 | Short tail, bright green head | High "keek-keek" |
Best Times and Tours for Motmot Viewing
For optimal motmot spotting, plan trips during the dry season (December-April) when cloud cover is lower and trails are drier, especially in the Caribbean lowlands. A 2023 survey of guided birding groups in the La Selva-Sarapiquí corridor reported that motmot encounter rates were 43% higher in January-March than in May-July, largely because birds use more exposed perches and are less obscured by rain-shrouded foliage.
Several guided options consistently deliver motmot sightings. A typical full-day itinerary near Arenal Volcano might include the Arenal Hanging Bridges, Heliconias Lodge, and the Arenal Peninsula Road, where at least three species-often blue-crowned motmot, keel-billed motmot, and tody motmot-can occur in one trip. Similarly, multi-day tours in Guanacaste or the Osa Peninsula usually highlight the turquoise-browed motmot as an iconic photo subject along dry-forest roads.
- Arrive at a forested trailhead by 05:30-06:00 to catch peak calling activity.
- Focus on shaded perches near streams, riverbanks, or road cuts where birds may have nests in tunnels.
- Listen for low, repetitive "whoop" or "bo-bo" notes, then scan slowly for movement.
- Use binoculars rather than zooming immediately with a camera, as motmots often remain still.
- Join a local birding guide familiar with motmot territories; Costa Rican guides in the northern Caribbean report over 90% success rates for client sightings of at least one motmot species.
Animal Behavior and Habitat Use
Motmots are "sit-and-wait" predators that rely on perch-hunting behavior. They typically sit on a horizontal branch, fence, or wire, scanning the ground or nearby vegetation for insects, spiders, small lizards, or frogs. When prey is detected, they make a short, swift flight to snatch it, then often return to the same perch or a nearby vantage. This behavioral pattern explains why they are easy to miss in dense foliage but can be surprisingly visible along cleared roads or at the edge of forest fragments.
Their nesting ecology is closely tied to earth-bank habitats. In Costa Rica, motmots excavate long, horizontal tunnels-often 1-2 meters into a riverbank, road cut, or even a quarry-ending in a slightly enlarged chamber. These tunnels are reused over multiple years and are vulnerable to landslides and road construction. Conservation efforts in the Sarapiquí region have begun requiring buffer setbacks along key riparian embankments to protect nesting motmots and other burrow-nesting birds.
Conservation Status and Local Efforts
None of the six motmot species in Costa Rica are currently classified as globally threatened by the IUCN; most are listed as Least Concern, reflecting their adaptability to secondary forest and some edge habitats. However, regional assessments warn that habitat fragmentation and infrastructure development could reduce local populations, especially for the more specialized keel-billed motmot and tody motmot in the northern Caribbean foothills.
Protected areas such as Braulio Carrillo National Park, La Selva Biological Station, and the Rincon de la Vieja Conservation Area play a critical role in safeguarding motmot habitat networks. Local NGOs have also promoted "bird-friendly" road-cut management, encouraging graded, vegetation-stabilized banks instead of vertical concrete walls that eliminate nesting opportunities. These measures, combined with Costa Rica's high proportion of protected land (about 26% of national territory), help maintain relatively stable motmot populations across the country.
Photographing Motmots in Costa Rica
Photographers seeking sharp images of Costa Rican motmots should prioritize light quality and patience. Early morning light in the dry forest or along Caribbean streams often produces warm, directional illumination that highlights the turquoise, blue, and rufous tones in the plumage. Because motmots perch still for long periods, a good field guide can approach them slowly while keeping the camera at eye level, minimizing disturbance and maximizing the chance of eye-level portraits.
Key tips for motmot photography include using a moderate telephoto lens (around 300-400 mm equivalent) to avoid crowding the bird, setting a shutter speed above 1/1000 second to freeze the tail-wag motion, and shooting in aperture-priority mode to keep the bird's head and racket-tipped tail in focus. Many professional bird photographers in Costa Rica report that 60-70% of their best motmot shots come within the first hour after sunrise, when the animals are most active and lighting is soft and warm.
Local Culture and the Name "Motmot"
In Costa Rica, many locals refer to these birds simply as "bobo," a name that echoes the repetitive "bo-bo" call. The term motmot and bobo are both onomatopoeic, reflecting the way the birds' vocalizations sound to human ears. This linguistic link reinforces the idea that motmots are not just scientific curiosities but part of everyday soundscape awareness, especially in rural communities where forest edges and roadside wires bring them into daily view.
In neighboring countries, motmots also carry cultural weight. The turquoise-browed motmot is the national bird of El Salvador and Nicaragua, known there as "Torogoz" and "Guardabarranco," respectively. While Costa Rica does not formally designate a motmot species as its national symbol, the bird's conspicuous beauty and frequent presence around roads and trails make it one of the most recognizable resident forest birds in the country.
How to Plan a Motmot-Focused Trip
Travelers who explicitly want to see several motmot species in Costa Rica should structure a 7-10-day itinerary that crosses both the Pacific and Caribbean slopes. A sample plan might begin with 2-3 days in Guanacaste (focusing on turquoise-browed and blue-crowned motmots), then move to the Arenal-La Fortuna region for keel-billed and tody motmots, and finally descend to the Sarapiquí lowlands for the rufous motmot and broad-billed motmot. Seasonal timing, guide choice, and attention to dawn birding all influence how many species a visitor actually logs in the field.