Trogon clathratus
The Lattice-tailed Trogon, Trogon clathratus, is a strikingly beautiful neotropical bird, easily recognized by its distinctive namesake tail pattern and vibrant plumage. Males boast iridescent green upperparts, a bright scarlet belly, and a crisp white breast band, all accentuated by a prominent yellow eye-ring and bill. Measuring approximately 28 cm (11 inches) in length and weighing around 110-125 grams, its most unique field mark is the ventral surface of its tail, which displays an intric...
This species primarily inhabits humid foothill and lower montane evergreen forests, and occasionally forest edges or clearings with tall trees, typically at elevations between 300 and 1200 meters.
Their diet consists primarily of large insects such as mantids, katydids, and cicadas, caught by sally-gleaning, supplemented by a significant intake of fruits, particularly those from the laurel family.
Lattice-tailed Trogons are diurnal, often solitary or found in pairs, exhibiting a characteristic 'sit-and-wait' foraging strategy where they perch upright and motionless for extended periods. Their foraging involves sallying out from a perch to glean large insects from foliage or catching them i...
The Lattice-tailed Trogon is a resident species found in the humid evergreen forests of Central and South America, primarily across Costa Rica and Panama, extending marginally into extreme northwestern Colombia. In Costa Rica, its range covers the Caribbean slope, from the central Alajuela region...
Least Concern
- The 'lattice' pattern on the male's undertail is a unique feature among trogons and is the inspiration for its common name. - Unlike most birds, trogons possess heterodactyl feet, where the first and second toes point backward, and the third and fourth toes point forward, aiding in perching and...