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Quetzel (male)
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. This one was seen in the Monteverde Cloud forest in Costa Rica.
Notes:
I think this might be the male Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) It was photographed on a rainy day in the cloudforest, high up on a Native Avocado tree. The photos are really bad, sorry!
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