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Quetzal (female)

Photo by pamsai
Published on Project Noah
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10.33, -84.82

Field Notes

Description:

Quetzals are strikingly colored birds in the trogon family.

They are fairly large (all over 32 cm or 13 inches long), slightly bigger than other trogon species. Quetzals have iridescent green or golden-green wing coverts, back, chest and head, with a red belly. They are strongly sexually dimorphic, and parts of the females' plumage are brown or grey. These largely solitary birds feed on fruits, berries, insects and small vertebrates (such as frogs). Despite their bright plumage, they can be surprisingly difficult to see in their wooded habitats.

The bird was sacred to the ancient Maya and Aztec peoples, and royalty and priests wore its feathers during ceremonies.

Habitat:

They are found in forests and woodlands, especially in humid highlands.

Notes:

I think this might be the Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno)

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (4)

Yes Marc Te, I saw them in Monteverde.
Did you see them in Monteverde? I had the luck to see one young quetzal in november 2011 ;)
Yes Maria... I saw 2! The male and the female! But unfortunately the weather conditions were completely wrong for photos! Cloud and rain in a rainforest!!
Such a nice luck to encounter a quetzal! :-)

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