Birds diurnal

Broad-billed Motmot

Electron platyrhynchum

A stunning inhabitant of the tropical understory, the Broad-billed Motmot is known for its vibrant cinnamon plumage and its namesake wide, heavy bill. This stoic hunter remains perfectly still for minutes at a time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike at its prey.

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Quick Identification

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Size

31–36 cm (12–14 in) in length; weighs between 55–72 g (1.9–2.5 oz)

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Colors

Rufous-cinnamon head, neck, and breast; forest green upperparts and wings; greenish-blue tail; prominent black eye mask

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Key Features

Distinctively wide, flat black bill
Velvety cinnamon-orange head and chest
Single black spot on the upper breast
Long, greenish-blue tail without dramatic rackets (unlike some relatives)
Broad black 'bandit' mask through the eyes

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 6:00 AM – 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM

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Season Year-round; most vocal and active during the breeding season from March to June

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Diet Carnivorous and insectivorous; feeds on large insects like cicadas and beetles, as well as spiders, lizards, and small frogs snatched from foliage or the ground.

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Habitat Humid lowland forests, mature secondary growth, and shaded forest edges; occasionally found in older, canopy-heavy suburban gardens.

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Behavior

The Broad-billed Motmot is a master of patience, often described as a 'sit-and-wait' predator. Unlike more frantic songbirds, this species will sit motionless on a shaded branch for long intervals, scanning the environment with rhythmic head movements. They are generally solitary or found in pairs, maintaining a quiet presence in the mid-story of the forest where they are more likely to be heard than seen.

When they spot prey, they perform a sudden, acrobatic 'sally,' diving to snatch an insect or small vertebrate before returning to the same perch. One of their most fascinating social behaviors is their nesting habit; they excavate long tunnels into earthen banks, often along riverbeds or road cuts, where they raise their young in total darkness. While they are not particularly shy around humans, their sedentary nature and preference for deep shade make them easy to overlook without a keen eye.

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Camera Tips

To successfully capture a Broad-billed Motmot on camera, placement is everything. These birds favor horizontal perches in the mid-canopy or understory, usually between 5 and 12 feet off the ground. Mount your camera on a tree trunk facing a clear, open flyway or a known 'perch' branch. Because they are sit-and-wait hunters, they often return to the same branch repeatedly; look for 'whitewash' (droppings) on the ground or leaves to identify these high-traffic spots.

If your property has a steep earthen bank or a ravine, this is a goldmine for camera placement. During the spring, look for 2-to-3-inch circular holes in the dirt. Placing a camera 10-15 feet away from a potential nest burrow can yield incredible footage of the birds carrying prey to their young. However, ensure you do not block the flight path or get close enough to cause the parents to abandon the site. Using a camera with a fast trigger speed is essential, as their hunting strikes are lightning-fast and over in a second.

For the best visual results, set your camera to take short 15-20 second video clips rather than just still photos. Motmots have a unique 'pendulum' tail-swinging behavior when they are curious or alarmed, which is best captured in motion. Because they live in deep shade, a camera with high-quality low-light sensors is a must. Avoid using a heavy flash if possible, as it can be jarring in the dark understory; instead, opt for high ISO settings or 'no-glow' infrared if your camera supports it. Lastly, since they do not visit seed feeders, focusing your camera near a water feature or a wild patch of the garden that attracts large insects is your best bet for attracting them to a specific frame.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Broad-billed Motmot.

Rufous Motmot

Larger in size with a much narrower bill and more pronounced racket-shaped tail feathers.

Whooping Motmot

Features a blue-crowned head and a very different double-noted 'whoop-whoop' call.

Blue-capped Motmot

Easily distinguished by the bright blue ring on the top of its head and a more greenish breast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Broad-billed Motmots are most active during the early morning hours shortly after sunrise and again in the late afternoon before dusk. They prefer to hunt when the light is soft but sufficient to spot movement in the undergrowth.

The best way to attract Broad-billed Motmots is to maintain a 'wild' backyard with plenty of canopy cover and leaf litter. They do not eat seeds, so focus on creating a habitat that supports large insects and lizards, their primary food sources. Providing a secluded water basin can also encourage them to visit.

Their diet consists primarily of large invertebrates such as cicadas, grasshoppers, and beetles. They are also known to eat small vertebrates like lizards, frogs, and occasionally small fruits or berries.

They are common in suburban areas only if those areas are adjacent to primary or secondary forests. They require significant shade and mature trees to feel secure, so they are rarely found in open, manicured landscapes.

The Broad-billed Motmot is smaller than the Rufous Motmot and has a significantly wider, flatter bill. Additionally, the Broad-billed Motmot usually lacks the dramatic bare-shafted 'racket' tips on its tail that are more common in other motmot species.

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