Turquoise-browed Motmot // Momoto Cejiceleste

(Eumomota superciliosa australis)

Cerro Lodge

Tárcoles

Costa Rica

 

When I visited Yucatan (Mexico) on the visits to the "cenotes" and in Chichén Itzá we saw many birds of this species. I think I can say that it was one of the birds most often sighted.

 

At that time my only goal was to take a picture or two to register the species and so I didn't spent much time photograping birds. As the result I don't have good enough photos of this species and this one is not much better.

 

At the time we were told that they were known by the name "Pájaro Reloj" (Clock Bird) and indeed the periodic movement of the tail reminds us of a pendulum clock.

 

"The elders of the region tell that Thot (the Maya name for Pájaro Reloj) appears every time someone is about to die, is placed on the highest branch and moves his tail of two feathers in the form of a pendulum while his song, very similar to the ticking of a clock, it does not cease until a soul leaves the land of the living." [1]

 

[1] - Translated from referenciarelojera.com/la-leyenda-del-pajaro-reloj/

Done