Typical “tick-tock” movement of the tail of a Motmot when at rest

These birds often perch relatively low in the afternoon while digesting the large seeds and fruits they eat; they then regurgitate the seeds. Hence they are an important distributor of many plants throughout the rain forest. While they are at rest, their tails go back and forth similar to a grandfather clock pendulum. The “spatula” tail is also characteristic of the adults. Juveniles do not have the “spatula”.
This species is endemic to the islands of Trinidad and Tobago.