Broad-billed Motmot

Electron platyrhynchum

eBird offers this description of the Broad-billed Motmot:  Medium-sized forest dweller that sits motionless on horizontal branches in the mid-story. Head and breast rufous-orange with black mask and breast spot. Green back and belly; long tail. Most similar to larger Rufous Motmot; note size and greenish chin. Often found singly or in pairs inside forest, usually below canopy. Listen for single froglike call “aww.”

The Birds of the World website introduces the Broad-billed Motmot with this descriptive information:  Fairly common throughout its range, Broad-billed Motmot inhabits humid forest in foothills and lowlands. This species generally stays in the mid levels of primary forests, often in relatively open areas. Most often encountered as singles or in pairs, birds sit quietly between sallying forays for insects and other small animals. Compared to Rufous Motmot (Baryphthengus martii), a morphologically similar species which occurs in many of the same areas, Broad-billed Motmots may be distinguished by their smaller size, blue-green chins, and larger central chest spots. Overall, they appear chunky and large-headed. Of this species’ six described subspecies, the three found east of the Andes form a rather distinct clade. They lack tail rackets, and are sometimes considered to represent their own species, called “Plain-tailed Motmot.” All subspecies share a similar voice: a short, nasal groan given intermittently.

The first Motmots I saw on my trip to Costa Rica were Broad-billed Motmots.  I saw a pair of them while walking a trail in La Selva on the late afternoon of February 6, 2023.  The birds were cooperative for a short time and, despite the waning light, I managed to get some fairly decent photos.  I was so excited to see my first Motmot!