What is the meaning of trogon?

Why is the quetzal so special?

The Quetzal was seen as a sacred animal to ancient native people including the Aztec and the Maya and was often referred to as The Rare Jewel Bird of the World, along with regularly being depicted in native art. The long, bright tail feathers of the males were also used in garments worn by royalty in particular.

Where do quetzals live in Mexico?

Quetzals are found from southern Mexico to Bolivia. The resplendent quetzal and the golden-headed quetzal are the only species found in Central America. The resplendent quetzal was the sacred bird of the ancient Mayas and Aztecs.

Do quetzals walk on the ground?

The Quetzal is thought to be a relatively inactive bird and is rarely seen on the forest floor as the design of their feet makes them very weak for walking on. The Quetzal perches high up in the tree canopy where their calls are nearly as distinctive as their appearance.

What does a quetzal look like?

The Quetzal is an incredibly coloured bird with males displaying a bright metallic green or blue on most of their bodies besides the deep red of the chest and belly.

Why see a quetzal in Costa Rica?

Seeing a Quetzal for the first time can literally take your breath away. It is perhaps one of the most beautiful birds in the world and the settings in Costa Rica that you find them, such as a cloud forest, just adds to the beauty of this magnificent looking bird.

What is the scientific name of the quetzal bird?

Quetzal Bird Overview 1 COMMON NAME: Resplendent Quetzal 2 SCIENTIFIC NAME: Pharomachrus mocinno 3 POPULATION STATUS: 50,000 left in the wild 4 TYPE: Trogon Family 5 DIET: Omnivore 6 SIZE: Body: 15 to 16 inches; tail: 24 inches

What type of bird is a quetzal?

The resplendent quetzal (/ ˈkɛtsəl /) (Pharomachrus mocinno) is a bird in the trogon family. It is found from Chiapas, Mexico to western Panama (unlike the other quetzals of the genus Pharomachrus, which are found in South America and eastern Panama). It is well known for its colorful plumage.

What is Quetzalcoatlus used for?

Quetzalcoatlus is primarily used by these masters of the skies to safely carry vast quantities of supplies, creatures and human cargo from one base to another without tiring. The Quetzal is constantly flying and flees if attacked. In casual flight, Quetzal tends to fly somewhat slowly.

Was the Quetzalcoatl considered a divine animal?

The resplendent quetzal was considered divine, associated with the “snake god”, Quetzalcoatl by Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican civilizations.

What do quetzals eat?

These largely solitary birds feed on fruits, berries, insects and small vertebrates (such as frogs). Even with their famous bright plumage, they can be hard to see in their natural wooded habitats. None of the many quetzal species is under immediate threat in the wild, although the eared and resplendent quetzal are at the near threatened status.

How many species of quetzals are there in the world?

All five species—the white-tipped quetzal (P. fulgidus), the crested quetzal (P. antisianus), the golden-headed quetzal (P. auriceps), the resplendent quetzal (P. mocinno), and the pavonine quetzal (P. pavoninus)—reside in the neotropics (Central America and South America). Quetzals are found from southern Mexico to Bolivia.

What does the resplendent quetzal look like?

The resplendent quetzal’s long blue-green plumes cover its tail, which shows white beneath, in flight. Its head, with a rounded hairlike crest, and the upper part of its breast are gold-green. The bird’s back is blue with a gold-tinged mantle, and its belly is red. A male resplendent quetzal ( Pharomachrus mocinno) on a tree branch in Costa Rica.

Where does the quetzal bird live?

Where is the Quetzal Bird Found? The resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) lives in cloud forests from southern Mexico to Panama, anywhere between about 4 to 7,000 feet elevation in these really moist, cloud-laden, very biologically rich forests. 2.

Is a quetzal a trogon?

The resplendent quetzal ( /ˈkɛtsəl/) (Pharomachrus mocinno) is a bird in the trogon family. It is found from Chiapas, Mexico to western Panama (unlike the other quetzals of the genus Pharomachrus, which are found in South America and eastern Panama).

What is the classification of a quetzal?

Quetzal Classification and Evolution. The Quetzal is a medium sized bird that is found inhabiting the moist, tropical rainforests of Central America from southern Mexico right down into Panama.

Is it legal to own a quetzal?

Unauthorized use is prohibited. The resplendent quetzal is an aptly named bird that many consider among the world’s most beautiful. These vibrantly colored animals live in the mountainous, tropical forests of Central America where they eat fruit, insects, lizards, and other small creatures.

How does a quetzal adapt to its environment?

Like other members of the trogon family, quetzal has large eyes that adapt easily to the dim light of its forest home. When the quetzal is in the nest incubating eggs its long tail-covert feathers fold forwards over the back and out of the hole, where they often look like a bunch of fern growing out of the hole.

What is the difference between a male&female quetzal?

The male quetzal has brightly colored tail feathers, which can be up to three feet long. The head, neck, chest, back and wings of the males are a metallic or iridescent green. The breast and belly are bright crimson. The breast is sometimes gray or a muted shade of red, far less vibrant than the male coloration.

How big does a quetzal bird get?

These quetzals are about 14 inches long, but the male’s colorful tail can extend as much as thirty inches. The male’s breast is red. His other feathers are blue, green, yellow, and white.

What is a quetzal?

The Quetzal is a medium sized bird that is found inhabiting the moist, tropical rainforests of Central America from southern Mexico right down into Panama.

Is the quetzal the national bird of Guatemala?

Although the northern Quetzal subspecies ( Pharomachrus mocinno mocinno) is the national bird of Guatemala we’ve been told by birders that they are easier to see and there is a much larger population in Costa Rica because the forests are better protected here. Resplendent Quetzals are startling emerald jewels of the cloud forest.

Where does the quetzal live?

While the bird lives in damp mountain forests, it is most active in the canopy and upper reaches of the treetops. It is the national bird of Guatemala, though Ticos cherish it just as much. In Costa Rica you can see it flying from 1,300 meters to 3,000 meters in elevation. Parent and young quetzals forage in fruit trees, such as fig and avocado.

Is the resplendent quetzal the best birding spot in Costa Rica?

Many avid birders consider the Resplendent Quetzal the glittering crown jewel of birding in Costa Rica and Central America.

What is the resplendent quetzal?

It is classified by numerous experts as one of the most beautiful birds in the world. With an iridescent green and red body, yellow beak, and a multi-colored tail that can reach 65 cm in length, the Resplendent Quetzal never ceases to charm onlookers. That is the Resplendent Quetzal in a nutshell.

How long does it take for a quetzal to grow feathers?

Quetzals become sexually mature at approximately 5 – 6 years of age. Before their first mating season (March to June), the males grow twin tail feathers that develop into an amazing train up to 3 ft (1 m) long. They do not grow these feathers until they are at least 3 years of age.