Trogon melanocephalus
The Black-headed Trogon, *Trogon melanocephalus*, is a striking member of the Trogonidae family, endemic to the Neotropics. Males are instantly recognizable by their iridescent black head and upper breast, contrasting sharply with a brilliant yellow belly and a clean white breast band. Their back is an emerald green, while the undertail coverts are bright yellow, and the tail feathers are uniquely barred black and white on the underside. Measuring approximately 27-28 cm (10.6-11 inches) in le...
Primarily inhabits humid to semi-arid lowland and foothill evergreen and semi-deciduous forests, including forest edges, clearings, and mature secondary growth, typically at elevations up to 1,200 meters.
Feeds primarily on large insects, including caterpillars, mantids, and beetles, supplemented by a significant portion of fruits and berries, with occasional small vertebrates. Forages by sallying from a perch to snatch prey or plucking fruit directly.
Black-headed Trogons are primarily diurnal, though often appear quite inconspicuous, spending long periods perched motionless in the forest understory, a behavior characteristic of many trogon species. Foraging involves a "sally-glean" or "sally-strike" technique, where they launch short, direct ...
The Black-headed Trogon is a resident species distributed throughout the lowlands and foothills of southeastern Mexico, extending southward through Central America. Its breeding and year-round range encompasses the humid tropical forests from southern Veracruz and Oaxaca in Mexico, across the Yuc...
Least Concern
- The Black-headed Trogon is renowned for its "trogon stillness," often remaining motionless on a perch for extended periods, making it surprisingly difficult to spot despite its bright colors. - These trogons often excavate their nests inside active arboreal termite nests, benefiting from the te...