AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN LCInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Least Concern — widespread and abundant; not at immediate risk of extinction.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Baryphthengus martii
Rufous Motmot
(Spix, 1824)
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
The Rufous Motmot (Baryphthengus martii) is the largest and bulkiest member of the motmot family in Central America. Its plumage is dazzling and contrasting: its head, neck, chest, and belly are an intense, rich rufous (orange-chestnut or cinnamon) color, which stands out dramatically against its deep emerald green back, wings, and tail. Its face is adorned with a broad black 'mask' that crosses its intense dark red eyes. In the center of its rufous chest, it sports a pair of distinctive black spots. Its tail is exceptionally long and dark green to bluish; unlike many other motmots, the rufous almost always lacks the bare shafts (the famous 'rackets') at the end of its tail, keeping it intact and graduated. It has a very thick, strong bill with serrated edges, adapted for tearing apart large prey.
Added by
Anonymous Curator
Reviewed by
Under Review
Last modified by
Julia Trouin
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Chordata
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Aves
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Coraciiformes
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Momotidae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Baryphthengus
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Spix, 1824)
Record Completeness
95%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Decreasing
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
Dry Season
Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Omnivore
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
It is a bird strictly tied to the depths of the rainforests. It prefers the understory and mid-story of humid lowland primary forests, deep wooded canyons, shaded riverbanks, and mature jungles. It avoids open spaces and dry areas. In Costa Rica, it is found almost exclusively in the humid Caribbean lowlands (such as Sarapiquí and Tortuguero) and in the very humid forests of the South Pacific (like Corcovado), from sea level up to 1,300 meters in elevation.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
It is a patient sit-and-wait hunter. It spends hours completely motionless, perched vertically on a shaded mid-story branch, meticulously observing the forest floor or nearby foliage. When it detects prey, it makes a rapid, direct dash (sally-pounce), catches it with its massive bill, and returns to its branch. There, before swallowing it, it violently beats the prey repeatedly against the wood of the branch to kill it, remove spines, hard legs, or venomous shells.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
The Rufous Motmot is a generally solitary bird or found in strongly bonded pairs. They are shy and stealthy birds that do not join mixed-species flocks and prefer to hunt and rest away from other birds.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Omnivore / Sally-pounce predator.Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
Omnivore. Its diet is very versatile and impressive given the size of its prey: it hunts large beetles, cicadas, giant spiders, and even small vertebrates like lizards, poison dart frogs, small fish from drying pools, and even crayfish. It also consumes a large quantity of wild fruits (such as palm fruits and laurels), swallowing the fruits whole and regurgitating the large intact seeds. The earthen nests are vulnerable to snakes, coatis, and tayras, while adults fear eagles and forest hawks.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Monogamous birds. Reproduction requires the presence of steep earth banks (riverbanks or deep landslides). Both parents work arduously using their bills and feet to excavate a tunnel that can measure between 2 and 5 meters long, ending in a wide, completely dark chamber. They do not line the nest. The female typically lays 3 or 4 white eggs directly on the tunnel floor. Both parents incubate the eggs (about 21 days) and both hunt incessantly to bring food to the altricial chicks. The young leave the safety of their dark subterranean world after about a month.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
42.0 - 46.0 cm
Weight (Grams)
150 g - 200 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.3 - 5
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).No
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
12 - 24 Months
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
20 - 22
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males10 - 14 Years
Females10 - 14 Years
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
The Pendulum (Alert Signaling): Although it lacks the bare 'rackets' of other motmots, when perched and excited or detecting a predator, it swings its extremely long tail from side to side like the pendulum of an antique clock. This visual signal tells the predator that it has been spotted and the bird is ready to flee, deterring a surprise attack.
Serrated-edged Bill: It possesses a massive, broad, and strong bill, whose cutting edges are finely serrated (like a steak knife). This adaptation allows it to grab, crush, and dismember slippery and armored prey that other birds cannot handle, from large beetles to frogs, crabs, and small snakes.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Lowland Deforestation: Being a species so dependent on the shade and humidity of the intact jungle, it is highly intolerant of forest fragmentation. Massive clear-cutting for plantations (banana, pineapple) immediately eradicates their populations.
Ravine Destruction (Erosion): Since they nest exclusively by excavating deep tunnels in earth banks and shaded riverbanks, uncontrolled erosion, river dredging, or the collapse of ravines due to riparian deforestation destroys their nesting sites.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
The Ghostly Hoot: Its call is one of the most evocative sounds of the humid forest. It does not chirp, but rather emits a resonant, rhythmic, and hollow double hoot: 'hooot... hooot!'. This low-frequency sound travels great distances in the dense jungle and is frequently confused by the inexperienced with the call of a large nocturnal owl, even though the motmot sings by day.
Subterranean Architects: Despite being arboreal birds, they build subterranean nests. Using their bills and feet, they can excavate surprisingly long tunnels, up to 4 to 5 meters deep, straight into the mud wall of a ravine, creating an incredibly secure and dark home for their chicks.