Pharomachrus antisianus
The Crested Quetzal (Pharomachrus antisianus) is a captivating neotropical bird, instantly recognizable by its unique, shaggy crest. Measuring approximately 33-35 cm (13-14 inches) in body length, excluding the male's elongated tail coverts which can add another 15-20 cm (6-8 inches), this species weighs around 180-200 grams. Males boast iridescent green plumage across their head, back, and wings, contrasting with a brilliant red belly and a dark underside to their tail. Their most distinctiv...
This species primarily inhabits humid montane cloud forests and subtropical evergreen forests. It is typically found at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 3,000 meters (4,000 to 10,000 feet).
The diet consists primarily of fruits, especially those from the laurel family (Lauraceae), supplemented by a variety of large insects such as cicadas, beetles, and katydids. They forage by sallying from a perch to pluck items.
Crested Quetzals are generally diurnal, often observed singly or in pairs, typically perching motionlessly within the forest canopy, making them surprisingly difficult to spot despite their vibrant plumage. Their foraging strategy involves sallying forth from a perch to snatch fruits, particularl...
The Crested Quetzal is a resident species found exclusively in the Andes Mountains of South America, spanning a continuous, albeit fragmented, range. Its distribution extends from the Andes of western Venezuela, through the Central and Eastern Andes of Colombia and Ecuador, southward into Peru, a...
Least Concern
- The Crested Quetzal is the only quetzal species to possess a distinctive, shaggy crest of feathers, giving it a perpetually "windswept" appearance. - Unlike its more famous relative, the Resplendent Quetzal, the male Crested Quetzal's tail feathers are less dramatically elongated, though still ...