Rufous Motmot

*Top 50 Target Species

The Rufous Motmot is a large, cinnamon-colored bird found year-round in Ecuador’s humid lowland and foothill forests, particularly west of the Andes up to about 1,400 meters. It is locally common in tall primary and secondary forest, often near rivers and streams, where it forages quietly for insects, small vertebrates, and fruit. Globally listed as Least Concern, its population is stable despite some habitat loss, thanks to its broad range across Central and South America. Known for its long, racket-tipped tail and pendulum-like movements when alarmed, the species nests in burrows dug into earthen banks, adding a subterranean twist to its otherwise arboreal lifestyle.