Birds diurnal

Blue-capped Motmot

Momotus coeruliceps

With its striking turquoise crown and iconic pendulum-swinging tail, the Blue-capped Motmot is a crown jewel of the Mexican forest. This 'clock bird' brings a touch of tropical brilliance to any backyard it visits.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

Length: 38-48 cm (15-19 in); Wingspan: 45-55 cm (18-22 in); Weight: 100-150 g (3.5-5.3 oz)

palette

Colors

Luminous green back and wings, warm cinnamon-rufous underparts, a jet-black eye mask bordered with turquoise, and a brilliant, solid blue crown. The tail features bare-shafted feathers ending in blue and black 'rackets.'

visibility

Key Features

Solid brilliant blue crown
Black mask across eyes
Long tail with two distinctive racket-shaped tips
Pendulum-like tail swinging behavior

When You’ll See Them

schedule

Activity pattern diurnal

brightness_5

Peak hours 6:30-9:30 AM, 3:30-6:00 PM

calendar_month

Season Year-round

restaurant

Diet An opportunistic omnivore that hunts large insects (beetles, cicadas), small lizards, frogs, and even small snakes. They also regularly consume tropical fruits and berries.

park

Habitat Humid to semi-arid tropical forests, woodland edges, and mature suburban gardens with plenty of shade and perching branches.

bar_chart
Loading activity data...

Behavior

Known locally as the 'clock bird,' the Blue-capped Motmot is a master of patience and stillness. It is most famous for its 'wag-display,' where it rhythmically swings its long, racket-tipped tail back and forth like a pendulum. While researchers believe this signal tells predators they have been spotted, it is also a fascinating sight for backyard observers. These birds are generally solitary or found in pairs, often perching motionless for long stretches while scanning the environment for prey.

Despite their exotic appearance, they are remarkably bold and can become accustomed to human presence in suburban gardens. They are near-passerines, meaning they are related to kingfishers and rollers. Unlike most backyard birds that build nests in branches, Blue-capped Motmots are excavators; they use their heavy, serrated beaks to dig long tunnels into earth banks or road cuts, where they lay their eggs in a protected subterranean chamber.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

To successfully capture the Blue-capped Motmot on your EverydayEarth camera, you must think like a 'sit-and-wait' predator. These birds have favorite 'lookout' perches—usually horizontal branches about 5 to 12 feet off the ground with a clear view of the forest floor or a lawn. If you see a motmot perching in the same spot more than once, mount your camera 10-15 feet away, angled slightly upward toward that branch. This distance is crucial because it ensures you capture the bird's full length, including that magnificent tail which can be longer than its actual body.

While they won't visit a standard seed feeder, you can lure them into your camera's frame using fruit. Set up a platform feeder or clear a flat spot on a stone wall and offer halved papayas, overripe bananas, or melon slices. Motmots are particularly attracted to the moisture in the fruit and the insects that the fruit naturally draws in. Place the camera at eye-level with the feeder for the most intimate, high-detail shots of their iridescent blue crowns.

Water is another high-traffic draw. A birdbath or a small trickling water feature is irresistible to motmots, especially during the dry season. Position your camera to face the water source from the north or south to avoid direct sun-glare, which can wash out the subtle greens and cinnamon tones of their plumage. Because they inhabit shady areas, use a camera with a high-quality CMOS sensor that performs well in low-light conditions to ensure the 'blue cap' remains vibrant.

During the breeding season (March through June), look for potential nesting sites in steep dirt banks or even large flower pots with exposed soil. If you find a tunnel entrance, place your camera 6-8 feet away at a 45-degree angle to the hole. This will allow you to capture the birds arriving with large insects in their beaks to feed their young. Set your trigger speed to the fastest possible setting, as their departures from the nest are incredibly swift.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Blue-capped Motmot.

Lesson's Motmot

Features a black center in the middle of its blue crown, whereas the Blue-capped's crown is solid blue.

Russet-crowned Motmot

Lacks the blue crown entirely, possessing a reddish-brown cap and a tail without rackets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Blue-capped Motmots are most active during the crepuscular hours of early morning and late afternoon, typically foraging from 6:30-9:30 AM and again before sunset.

You can attract them by maintaining mature shade trees, providing a clean water source or birdbath, and offering soft tropical fruits like papaya and bananas on platform feeders.

Their diet is diverse, consisting of large insects like beetles and cicadas, small vertebrates including lizards and frogs, and various fruits.

Yes, in eastern Mexico, they are quite adaptable and frequently inhabit suburban gardens and parks that offer enough canopy cover and nesting banks.

The Blue-capped Motmot has a solid, completely blue crown. In contrast, the Lesson's Motmot features a black patch in the center of its blue crown.

Record Blue-capped Motmot at your habitat

Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.

Join free Identify a photo