If you’ve ever wandered through the jungle near a cenote or a quiet ruin and spotted a bird with glowing turquoise feathers and a tail that swings like a clock, you may have met the mysterious toh—better known as the motmot.
This striking bird, officially named Momotidae, gets its nickname “clock bird” from its long, pendulum-like tail feathers. The ends are shaped like discs, and the bird often swings them side to side in a slow, rhythmic motion. Scientists believe this behavior could be a way of communicating with other motmots—or maybe even to impress a potential mate. Either way, it adds to the bird’s curious charm and is integral to the Legend of the Motmot.
The Legend of the Motmot
The motmot, or toh in Maya, is deeply woven into the region’s mythology. One traditional story describes the toh as a once-proud creature who loved showing off its brilliant plumage and spending time with royal birds, while others worked hard preparing for an oncoming storm. When the king vulture gathered the birds to build a shelter, everyone pitched in—woodpeckers, toucans, parrots, hummingbirds—but the motmot refused, declaring he was too noble for manual labor.
As the storm rolled in, the motmot took cover in a crack in a stone wall, not realizing his prized tail feathers were still sticking out. The wind and rain did their work, and by the time the storm passed, his luxurious tail was reduced to two bare shafts with little tufts at the ends.
These days, spotting one in the wild is a treat. The motmot is an incredibly beautiful bird, with shimmering green feathers, turquoise above the eyes and on the chest, and a cinnamon-colored belly. It’s native to southeastern Mexico and Central America, especially fond of places with water—and mosquitoes, which make up most of its diet.
Ashamed, the motmot flew deep into the forest, where he still hides today. You’ll often find him perched quietly above cenotes or nestled in dense foliage, tail swaying like a grandfather clock, far from the birds he once snubbed.
The motmot’s connection to Mayan spiritual beliefs adds another layer of meaning. Considered a sacred bird, the toh is tied to rites of passage and transformation. Mayan shamans once performed ceremonies in caves—motmot territory—where young people would mark the start of a new chapter in life. In this way, the motmot came to symbolize personal evolution, the journey from one state to another, and the mystery of destiny.
The bird also plays a practical role in local ecosystems. It helps control insect populations and serves as an indicator of healthy forest environments. While not considered endangered yet, the motmot is threatened by habitat loss and human activity.
If you’re visiting the Yucatán, keep your eyes peeled. You might be lucky enough to glimpse one of these magical birds—just look near the cenotes, or along the forest edge in the early morning or late afternoon. And if you see that tail swinging, now you’ll know: it’s not just a beautiful quirk—it’s a legend in motion.
