Birds diurnal

Tody Motmot

Hylomanes momotula

Meet the Tody Motmot, the miniature, racquet-less wonder of the Central American understory. Small in size but big on character, this elusive 'forest hoot' is a master of patience and camouflage.

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Quick Identification

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Size

16.5–18 cm (6.5–7 in) in length; weighs approximately 25–30 g (0.9–1.1 oz)

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Colors

Olive-green upperparts and breast; cinnamon-rufous crown and nape; buffy-white throat; prominent black mask behind the eye; no racquet-shaped tail feathers

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Key Features

Smallest species of motmot
Lacks the signature racquet-shaped tail of other motmots
Distinctive rufous/cinnamon cap
Black ear patch or 'mask'
Broad, serrated bill for gripping large insects

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 6:00 AM – 9:00 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 July

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Diet Primarily insectivorous, feeding on beetles, cicadas, and caterpillars; also consumes small lizards, frogs, and occasionally small fruits.

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Habitat Dense tropical lowland forests, second-growth forests, and shady thickets; prefers the dark understory near the forest floor.

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Behavior

The Tody Motmot is the unassuming introvert of the motmot family. Unlike its more flamboyant, racquet-tailed cousins, this diminutive bird spends much of its time sitting perfectly still on low-hanging branches in the forest understory. It is a classic 'sit-and-wait' predator, often remaining motionless for several minutes, tilting its head occasionally as it scans the leaf litter for a snack.

While they are not highly social birds, they are often found in pairs that maintain a loose territory. Their presence is more often given away by their call—a soft, low-pitched hoot—rather than their movement. They are remarkably patient and rely heavily on their olive-green camouflage to remain undetected by predators and prey alike.

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Camera Tips

To capture the Tody Motmot on camera, placement is everything. These birds are strictly understory dwellers, so you’ll want to position your camera much lower than you would for most birds—usually between 2 to 4 feet off the ground. Focus your lens on horizontal branches or vines that sit near dense thickets, as these are their preferred perching spots for hunting. Because they are so small and blend in with the foliage, aim for a spot where the background is slightly more open to help the bird's profile stand out.

Since Tody Motmots are famous for sitting still for long stretches, your camera’s motion sensor needs to be highly sensitive. If your camera allows for it, use a 'Video' mode with a longer trigger duration (15-20 seconds) rather than just photos. This increases your chances of catching them in the act of 'sallying'—that sudden, explosive burst where they fly out to grab an insect and return to the same spot. If your camera has a pre-roll feature, turn it on; the action happens in a blink of an eye.

Attracting them can be tricky since they don't visit traditional seed feeders. However, a small, dripping water feature or a shallow forest-floor birdbath can be a magnet for them, especially during the dry season. They are most active during the 'golden hours' of early morning and late afternoon. Set your camera's sensitivity to high to ensure the dim light of the forest floor doesn't result in missed triggers. If you are using an AI-powered camera, ensure the bird detection is prioritized, but be prepared for some false triggers from moving leaves due to the low placement required for this species.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Tody Motmot.

Lesson's Motmot

Much larger with a brilliant blue crown and long, racquet-tipped tail feathers.

Broad-billed Motmot

Larger with a more orange-rufous chest and a distinctive racquet tail.

Tody Flycatcher

Much smaller with a yellow belly and a different bill shape, though it shares the 'Tody' name due to its size.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tody Motmots are most active during the early morning hours just after sunrise and again in the late afternoon before dusk. They prefer the cooler, dimmer light of the understory during these times to hunt for insects.

If you live within their range, the best way to attract them is by maintaining dense, shady native vegetation and providing a water source with a 'dripper' or small fountain. They are shy birds and will only visit yards that offer significant cover and no pesticide use, which ensures a healthy insect population.

Their diet consists mainly of large insects like cicadas and beetles, which they snatch from leaves or the ground. They are also known to eat small vertebrates like tiny frogs and lizards, as well as occasional berries.

They are rarely found in open suburban lawns. However, if your property borders a tropical forest or contains a large, shaded 'wild' corner with thick leaf litter and undergrowth, they may venture in.

The easiest way is the tail; the Tody Motmot is the only motmot that lacks the long, racquet-tipped tail feathers. It is also significantly smaller (about half the size) than the more common Lesson's or Blue-crowned Motmots.

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