Pharomachrus mocinno
The Resplendent Quetzal (*Pharomachrus mocinno*) is an avian jewel, renowned for its striking iridescent green and red plumage and the male's exceptionally long tail streamers, which can reach up to 60 cm (24 in) in length. This medium-sized trogon measures about 36 cm (14 in) without the tail, possessing a metallic green head, back, and wings, a brilliant scarlet breast and belly, and a shaggy crest. Distinctive field marks include the male's flowing tail, the female's shorter tail and dulle...
This species exclusively inhabits cool, humid montane cloud forests and evergreen forests, typically found at elevations between 1,200 to 3,000 meters (4,000 to 9,800 feet). They require mature forests with a dense canopy and abundant fruiting trees.
The diet of the Resplendent Quetzal is highly specialized, consisting predominantly of fruits from trees in the *Lauraceae* family, particularly wild avocados, supplemented with insects, frogs, lizards, and snails. They forage by sallying from perches to pluck food.
Resplendent Quetzals are primarily diurnal, spending their days foraging and typically roosting solitarily or in pairs high within the dense canopy. Their foraging strategy involves sallying flights from a perch to snatch fruits, insects, or small vertebrates, often performing a hovering maneuver...
The Resplendent Quetzal's range extends through the montane cloud forests of Central America, from southern Mexico (specifically Chiapas) southward through Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, reaching into western Panama. Within this broad distribution, populations are of...
Near Threatened
- The Resplendent Quetzal was considered sacred by ancient Maya and Aztec civilizations, often associated with the serpent god Quetzalcoatl. - It is the national bird of Guatemala, and its currency is also named after the bird. - Unlike many birds, Resplendent Quetzals do not thrive in captivity ...