Animals of Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve
Estacion Biologica FUNDECI/GAIA
Turquoise-browed Motmot
Eumomota superciliosa
The "Guardabarranco" (Eumomota superciliosa), as the Nicaraguans call it, is the more
common of two motmot species found in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve, Nicaragua. This Turquoise-browed Motmot is often called the
national bird of Nicaragua, although there is no such official declaration. At Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve, it is abundant and easily
viewed. Any birdwatching activity in appropriate habitat will be sure to include sighting of at least one of them. The Guardabarranco
occupies holes dug in vertical dirt banks, so they are common along road cuts, canyons and other similar natural or constructed features.
The Turquoise-browed Motmot has a strong, wide bill which it uses to catch insects on the wing.
Its diet is quite varied, including fruits, arthropods, and small vertebrates. Photo by Joe Taylor.
The Turquoise-browed Motmot (Eumomota superciliosa) and the Blue-crowned Motmot
(Momotus momota) are both found in the forests of Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve, and most local people confuse them.
Photo by Joe Taylor.
The barbs on the central tail feathers of the Turquoise-browed Motmot are distinctive, giving the
appearance of a tennis racket. Photo by Joe Taylor.
Motmots make their nests in horizontal holes dug into vertical dirt banks. They usually occupy and
modify holes made by lizards. Steeply sloped banks, abundant in the Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve, give this species lots of nesting opportunities.
Photo by Joe Taylor.
Even a beginning birdwatcher will have ample opportunities to see this species. Photo by Joe Taylor.
We provided care for this Turquoise-browed Motmot chick before it was taken to Zoológica Nacional.
The feathers of the chicks are neutral and far less brilliant than the adults. Photo by Belén Camino.
The Turquoise-browed Motmot tends to perch in plain view. Photo by Romaine De Jaegere.
Do you have pictures of the Turquoise-browed Motmot from Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve? If you would like to share them,
we will be happy to publish them here or on our blog (see below).
Animals of Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve
Our blog entry 1 on bird monitoring
Birdwatching blog entry III
Birdwatching blog entry II
Birdwatching blog entry I
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Scuba Diving in Lake Apoyo
Birdwatching in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve
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