What is the El Salvador National Bird? + 11 Interesting Facts
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Want to know what the El Salvador National bird is? You’re in the right place!
El Salvador is a great place to travel to for its diverse culture, rich history, and stunning landscapes. But one of the most fascinating aspects you will find in this beautiful country is the national bird of El Salvador: the Turquoise-Browed motmot (Eumomota superciliosa).
Also known as Torogoz in El Salvador, this magnificent creature has been designated as the official bird since 1999 and it’s easy to see why.
With its bright turquoise, green, orange, yellow, and brown feathers that adorn its mostly green body – and its long tail feathers that swings back and forth like a pendulum – it stands out among other birds.
I recently spent 3 weeks solo traveling around this beautiful country in Central Merica, and loved spotting the Turquoise-Browed motmots during my visit!
What is the National Bird of El Salvador?
The national bird of El Salvador is the Turquoise-Browed motmot (Eumomota superciliosa), also known as Torogoz in El Salvador, pájaro reloj (clockbird) in Spanish, and Toh in Maya.
This magnificent creature has been designated as the official bird since 1999 and it’s easy to see why with its unique colorful feathers that adorn its mostly green body – and its long tail that swings back and forth like a pendulum.
The Torogoz – El Salvador’s national bird – can even be found on the national flag!
Why is the Torogoz the National Bird of El Salvador?
Torogoz is what Salvadorans call their national bird, but it is more widely known as the Turquoise-Browed Motmot). It was declared the official national bird of El Salvador in 1999, and there are a few possible explanations.
The first is that the Torogoz as the El Salvador national bird symbolizes natural beauty, freedom, and liberty, which are all traits admired by the people of El Salvador.
Secondly, this bird has been referenced in Mayan stories – particularly “Legend of the Clock Bird” – that talk about how God punishes it for its laziness, by giving its tail the ability to act like a clock and wake up the rest of the animals every morning.
A third interpretation is that the motmot is known for its unique behavior: both males and females take care of their offspring as partners. For some, this Salvadoran national bird symbolizes the unity and warmth of Salvadoran families.
Whatever the true reason, it’s a beautiful bird to choose for the official bird of El Salvador.
Where Can the El Salvador National Bird be Found?
The Turquoise-Browed Motmot can be found all over Central America from the southern part of Mexico to Costa Rica, and everywhere in between.
They are most often found in the mountains of El Salvador in the north of the country.
Being a master of camouflage, the Motmot is quite difficult to spot. They sit perfectly still and blend in with their dense forest habitat, making them hard to detect even for experienced bird watchers. This tactic works in the Motmots’ favor when it comes to avoiding predators!
The easiest place to spot the El Salvador state bird is on the national flag!
11 Interesting Facts About the National Bird of El Salvador:
1. The El Salvador bird is known by several different names: the Torogoz in El Salvador, Guardabarranco in Nicaragua, Turquoise-browed motmot in English, pájaro reloj (clock bird) in Spanish, and Toh in Maya.
2. The motmot isn’t only the El Salvador national bird! Nicaragua also selected the Turquoise-Browed motmot as their national bird.
3. This bird has an omnivorous diet, consisting of small insects, reptiles, and fruits. It’s even been reported by some researchers that motmots sometimes eat poisonous frogs!
4. In terms of size, the adult motmot measures about 34 cm long and around 65 grams in weight.
5. motmots live somewhere between 12 to 14 years.
6. That beautiful long tail isn’t just for males! Unlike most other birds, both males and females have long, ornate tails.
7. Motmots use their long tails to make a wag display to signal to others that there are predators nearby.
8. Males with the most impressive, longest tails are more attractive to females.
9. Both males and females care for their young together.
10. Female motmots typically lay 3 to 6 white eggs at a time.
11. Motmot nests are quite unique – they dig burrows or tunnels in the dirt or a fresh-water well up to 2.5 meters long and 8 cm in diameter!
Clearly, this national bird is both beautiful and fascinating.
What Other Animals Can Be Found in El Salvador?
El Salvador is home to more than 200 animal species, including a wide variety of birds and butterflies.
Other popular bird species besides the motmot include the quetzal, toucan, macaw, and kingfisher.
El Salvador’s national parks and private reserves are also some of the best places in the country to find interesting animals such as ocelots, spider monkeys, and white-tailed deer.
At Cerro Verde National Park, home of the famous Santa Ana Volcano, you can spot emerald toucanets, motmots, and hummingbirds, while at Montecristo National Park visitors can observe ocelots, pumas, and spider monkeys in their natural habitat.
One of my favorite El Salvador tours is a day tour to a spider monkey sanctuary combined with kayaking.
With so much wildlife diversity available for exploration it’s no wonder El Salvador is such an attractive destination for nature lovers!
Is El Salvador Worth Visiting?
El Salvador is a country filled with stunning natural beauty and unique cultural experiences. From its lush rainforests to its vibrant cities, El Salvador offers something for every traveler.
If you love nature, you can explore the many national parks around the country or take a boat tour of Lake Coatepeque for breathtaking views of volcanoes and islands. I loved hiking to El Salvador’s many stunning waterfalls!
You can also go scuba diving off the coast of La Libertad and experience an underwater world full of coral reefs and fish species native to El Salvador.
For those who prefer exploring on land, hiking trails offer amazing views while bird watching provides opportunities to observe some of El Salvador’s most beautiful birds such as motmots and quetzals in their natural habitat.
El Salvador is also home to numerous museums that showcase the country’s rich history including artifacts from Mayan civilizations as well as colonial buildings dating back centuries ago.
There are also several cultural festivals held throughout the year that celebrate traditional music, dance performances, art exhibits, parades, and more!
There’s never a bad time to visit El Salvador – something is always happening.
So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and start exploring this amazing country today!
FAQs
There are a few reasons why the turquoise-browed motmot (called Torogoz in El Salvador) is the national bird of El Salvador. The most common explanation is that the bird is a symbol of natural beauty, freedom, and liberty. The second comes from the “Legend of the Clock Bird” Maya legend.
The Salvadoran flag features the Turquoise-Browed Motmot, known as the Torogoz in El Salvador. A symbol of natural beauty, freedom, and liberty makes it an ideal representation on the national flag. The motmot is also featured heavily in Mayan stories and myths, making it an important part of Salvadoran culture and history. 
No, the turquoise-browed motmot (Eumomota superciliosa) also known as the Torogoz is not considered endangered. This beautiful bird can be found throughout Central America from southeast Mexico to Costa Rica and is relatively common in El Salvador.
El Salvador, the smallest Central American country, is known for its beautiful landscapes, stunning beaches, vibrant Mayan culture, and delicious food. El Salvador is famous for its volcanoes, beautiful lakes, colorful pueblos along the Ruta de las Flores, and some of the best surfing in the world!
Conclusion: El Salvador National Bird
The El Salvador National Bird, the Turquoise-Browed Motmot (also known as Torogoz), is an incredibly beautiful species that can be found throughout Central America, from the south of Mexico down to Costa Rica.
This bird symbolizes natural beauty, freedom, and liberty – making it a perfect representation of El Salvador on its national flag.
Not only is this motmot interesting to observe from afar, but its fascinating behaviors combined with its cultural significance make it one of the most beloved birds in all of El Salvador.
And in case you’re wondering, the national tree (maquilishuat) and flower (izote) are also beautiful!
If you’re looking for a place to explore the beautiful scenery and vibrant culture, then look no further than El Salvador! From volcanoes to waterfalls and everything in between, there’s something here for everyone who loves nature and adventure.
So go ahead and add El Salvador to your travel bucket list – I promise you won’t regret it!
Related Posts:
Best Time to Visit El Salvador: Make The Most of Your Trip (2023)
13 Best El Salvador Tours You Can’t Miss in 2023
10 Stunning Waterfalls in El Salvador that You Must See (2023)
9 Delicious Fruits in El Salvador You Must Taste at Local Markets
How to Get from San Salvador to Copan Ruinas via Bus (& Santa Ana to Copan)
El Salvador Travel Tips
🚗 Car Rental: Renting a car in El Salvador is one of the best ways to see the country! I always rent with Discover Cars, which checks both international companies and local Salvadoran companies, so you get the best rates.
🏩 Accommodation: For El Salvador hotels and hostels, Booking is the best site – I love my Genius discounts!
💵 Money: The currency here is the US Dollar, and there are plenty of ATMs if you need cash.
Credit cards aren’t as commonly accepted outside of major cities, so it’s best to bring cash with you.
🗣 Language: Most locals don’t speak English, so brush up on your Spanish! It can also be helpful to download the Spanish language option on Google Translate if you’re going to be offline.
⛑ Safety: San Salvador is generally safe for tourists, but there are some areas to avoid. Ask your hotel for the most up-to-date information before heading out. Whenever you’re out, be sure to stay alert, stick to busy streets, and avoid isolated areas.
🚙 Uber is safe and cheap in major cities like San Salvador and Santa Ana.
🤑 Tipping: Tipping 10% in restaurants is expected but make sure it’s not already included in your bill as “servicio.”
💧 Water: You shouldn’t drink tap water in El Salvador. Most hotels will provide filtered water, or you can buy bottled.
📝 El Salvador Travel Planning Guide 🇸🇻🌟
Before you embark on your unforgettable journey to El Salvador, here are the essential tips every traveler should know:
🚑 Should I buy travel insurance for El Salvador?
✅ 100% YES! — My #1 Safety Tip for all travelers is to buy travel insurance for every trip in case anything happens on their visit. I recommend and use SafetyWing – it’s cheap and comprehensive.
🛟 Is El Salvador safe for tourists?
✅ YES, El Salvador is generally safe for tourists, but there are some areas to avoid. Ask your hotel for the most up-to-date information before heading out. When you’re out, stay alert, stick to busy streets, and avoid isolated areas. Read more about staying safe in El Salvador.
💧Can you drink the water in El Salvador?
🚱 No — It’s recommended to drink filtered or bottled water in El Salvador (but using tap water to brush your teeth is usually fine). I recommend this reusable water bottle! It works great, turning tap water into safe-to-drink water that tastes good.
🚙💨 Is it safe to rent a car in El Salvador?
Yes — Renting a car in El Salvador is one of the best ways to see the country! I recommend Discover Cars, which checks both international companies and local Salvadoran companies, so you get the best rates.
🏩 What’s the best way to book my El Salvador accommodations?
My go-to for El Salvador hotels is Booking.com. For hostels, I use HostelWorld. Or get free accommodations with Trusted Housesitters!
✈️ What’s the best site to book El Salvador flights?
For finding cheap El Salvador flights, I recommend CheapOAir.
🎫 Do I need a visa for El Salvador?
Likely Not — El Salvador allows visitors from close to one hundred jurisdictions to visit El Salvador without a visa and stay for up to 180 days. US passport holders don’t need an El Salvador visa for stays of up to 90 days, but you must purchase a tourist card for $12 USD upon arrival.
💰 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆: The currency here is the US Dollar, and there are plenty of ATMs if you need cash. I always withdraw from ATMs to get the best rates (select “no” when it asks you if you accept the conversion rate). Credit cards aren’t commonly accepted outside of major cities.
🪙 Tipping: Tipping 10% in restaurants is expected, but make sure it’s not already included in your bill as “servicio.”
🚕 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Getting around El Salvador is a breeze! Uber is safe and cheap in major cities like San Salvador and Santa Ana. Local buses are generally efficient and easy to use. Renting a car is also a good option.
🗣️ Language: Many locals don’t speak English, so brush up on your Spanish! It can also be helpful to download the Spanish language option on Google Translate if you’ll be offline.
📶 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆: El Salvador has inconsistent internet connectivity – it’s better in the main cities than in rural areas.