Recommended camera settings#
Focal length needed to frame it#
For a subject about 32 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.
| Distance | ⅓ of frame (FF) | ½ of frame (FF) | ⅓ of frame (APS-C) | ⅓ of frame (MFT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 m (16 ft) | 176 mm | 262 mm | 118 mm | 88 mm |
| 10 m (33 ft) | 353 mm | 525 mm | 235 mm | 176 mm |
| 15 m (49 ft) | 529 mm | 787 mm | 353 mm | 264 mm |
| 20 m (66 ft) | 705 mm | 1,050 mm | 470 mm | 353 mm |
| 30 m (98 ft) | 1,058 mm | 1,574 mm | 705 mm | 529 mm |
| 50 m (164 ft) | 1,763 mm | 2,624 mm | 1,175 mm | 882 mm |
About the Turquoise-browed Motmot#
The turquoise-browed motmot (Eumomota superciliosa) is a colourful, medium-sized bird of the motmot family, Momotidae. It inhabits Central America from south-east Mexico (mostly the Yucatán Peninsula), to Costa Rica, where it is common and not considered threatened. It lives in fairly open habitats such as forest edge, gallery forest and scrubland.
Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Field-craft tips#
- For flight shots use wide-area tracking and +0.3 to +1 EV against bright sky.
- Sightings peak in March, April and May, which is when you'll have the most chances.
Ethics#
- The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
- Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
- Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
- Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.
More Motmots#
Frequently asked questions#
What lens do I need to photograph a Turquoise-browed Motmot?
At about 32 cm long, a turquoise-browed motmot fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 353 mm, or at 20 m with 705 mm.
What shutter speed should I use for a Turquoise-browed Motmot?
1/800 s when it's still; 1/2500–1/3200 s for action.
When is the best time to photograph a Turquoise-browed Motmot?
Observations in North America peak in March, April and May. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.
Sources & licences#
- iNaturalist — Observation data CC BY-NC; photo licence as credited
- Wikipedia — CC BY-SA 4.0
Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources