Trogon massena
The Slaty-tailed Trogon (Trogon massena) is a captivating resident of the humid Neotropical lowlands, instantly recognizable by its vibrant plumage and distinctive yellow bill. Males boast an iridescent green head and upperparts, transitioning to a striking scarlet belly, separated by a thin white breast band, and a uniformly slaty-gray tail, giving the species its common name. Females, while sharing the red belly, are duller overall with a slate-gray head and back, a white eye-ring, and fine...
This species primarily inhabits humid evergreen and semi-deciduous forests, including secondary growth, forest edges, and shaded plantations, from sea level up to approximately 1200 meters (4000 feet) in elevation.
Its diet consists primarily of large insects, including caterpillars, mantids, and beetles, supplemented significantly by a variety of fruits, particularly those from trees in the families Lauraceae and Moraceae.
Slaty-tailed Trogons are largely diurnal, often remaining motionless for extended periods on a shaded perch, making them surprisingly difficult to spot despite their bright colors. They employ a 'perch-and-sally' foraging strategy, darting out from a branch to snatch insects or pluck fruit before...
The Slaty-tailed Trogon has a wide distribution across the humid lowlands of Central and northern South America. Its breeding range extends from southeastern Mexico (primarily Oaxaca and Chiapas) south through Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. From Panama, it continu...
Least Concern
- The Slaty-tailed Trogon's bright yellow bill is a distinctive field mark that helps differentiate it from other trogon species with darker bills. - Despite its vibrant plumage, this trogon often remains hidden and silent for long periods, making it surprisingly challenging to spot in its dense ...