- Tropical American bird - Any one of several species of long-tailed, passerine birds
of the genus Momotus, having a strong serrated beak. In most of the
species the two long middle tail feathers are racket-shaped at the tip,
when mature. The bird itself is said by some writers to trim them into
this shape. They feed on insects, reptiles, and fruit, and are found
from Mexico to Brazil. The name is derived from its note.