Trogon caligatus
The Gartered Trogon (Trogon caligatus) is a striking Neotropical bird, instantly recognizable by its iridescent plumage and distinctive vocalizations. Males boast a brilliant dark green back, head, and upper breast, contrasting sharply with a bright yellow lower breast and belly, separated by a narrow white breast band. Their face and throat are blackish, complemented by a prominent blue eye-ring, while the bill is a vibrant yellow to yellowish-orange. Females are more subdued, featuring a sl...
Found in humid to semi-arid evergreen and deciduous forests, forest edges, clearings, and secondary growth, from sea level up to approximately 1500 meters.
Feeds primarily on large insects, including caterpillars, mantises, and beetles, supplemented significantly by fruits, particularly small berries and drupes.
Gartered Trogons are largely solitary or observed in pairs, often perching upright and motionless for extended periods, making them surprisingly difficult to spot despite their vivid coloration. Their foraging strategy involves 'sally-gleaning,' where they make short, rapid flights from a perch t...
The Gartered Trogon exhibits a broad and continuous distribution across the Neotropics, making it a resident species throughout its range. It is found from southeastern Mexico, specifically in states like Veracruz, Oaxaca, and Chiapas, extending southward through all of Central America, including...
Least Concern
- Its scientific epithet 'caligatus' means 'booted' in Latin, possibly referencing the scaly appearance of its tarsi or leg coloration. - Despite its bright colors, the Gartered Trogon is notoriously difficult to spot in the dense forest understory due to its habit of perching perfectly still for...