The turquoise-browed motmot is a colourful, medium-sized bird of the motmot family, Momotidae. It inhabits Central America from south-east Mexico, to Costa Rica, where it is common and not considered threatened. It lives in fairly open habitats such as forest edge, gallery forest and scrubland. It is more conspicuous than other motmots, often perching in the open on wires and fences. From these perches it scans for prey, such as insects and small reptiles. White eggs (3–6) are laid in a long tunnel nest in an earth bank or sometimes in a quarry or fresh-water well. Its name originates from the turquoise color of its brow. It is the national bird of both El Salvador and Nicaragua, where it is known as torogoz and guardabarranco respectively.
Region
Central America
Typical Environment
Occurs from southeastern Mexico through Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua to northwestern Costa Rica. Favors open to semi-open habitats including dry forest edge, gallery forest, secondary growth, and scrub. Common along roadsides, pastures with scattered trees, plantations, and near towns where it perches on wires and fence lines. Nests in long burrows excavated in earthen banks, quarries, and sometimes well walls.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This striking motmot is easily recognized by its turquoise eyebrow and long tail with racket-shaped tips formed by natural feather wear. It often performs a distinctive pendulum-like tail wag when alarmed. It is the national bird of both El Salvador (torogoz) and Nicaragua (guardabarranco).
A torogoz in Joya de Cerén Mayan ruins in El Salvador
Temperament
confiding yet territorial around nest sites
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief, direct sallies from perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs; pairs defend territories and remain together year-round. Both sexes excavate a long tunnel in an earthen bank and lay 3–6 white eggs. Performs a characteristic pendulum tail-wag display when alarmed or communicating.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are a series of hollow, owl-like hoots and gruff notes, often given from exposed perches. Also emits harsh chatters and clucking calls during interactions near the nest.
