Quetzal, resplendent

Pharomachrus mocinno

phylum: Chordata

class: Aves

order: Trogoniformes

family: Trogonidae

status: Lower risk, near threatened, IUCN Endangered, ESA

range: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama

Description and biology

The resplendent quetzal (pronounced ket-SAL) is a stunning forest bird, considered to be among the most beautiful in the Western Hemisphere. Although both males and females have crested feathers on their heads and brilliant green upperparts, the color of the plumage (covering of feathers) on the rest of the body differs. Females have brown breasts and bellies and fairly short, black-and-white tails. Males have orange-red breasts and bellies. Their magnificent, three-foot- long (one-meter-long) tail is the same shimmering green color as their upper body. An average adult quetzal measures 13.75 to 15 inches (35 to 38 centimeters) in length.

The quetzal feeds mainly on fruit. It usually stays in the canopy of the cloud forest (humid tropical mountain forest)

that makes up its habitat. Like other members in the Trogonidae family, the quetzal has large eyes that adapt easily to the dim light of its forest home. The bird is quite territorial, and the male patrols his home range of 15 to 25 acres (6 to 10 hectares) each morning and evening.

To court a female for breeding, a male flutters his long tail in various displays. After mating, the pair build a nest in a natural cavity in a tree stump. Sometime between March and June, the female lays 2 blue eggs. Both the female and male take turns incubating (sitting on or brooding) the eggs for 17 to 19 days until they hatch.

Habitat and current distribution

The resplendent quetzal is found in Central America, from southern Mexico to Panama. Biologists (people who study living organisms) are unaware of the total number of quetzals currently in existence.

The bird prefers to inhabit cloud forests, usually from 4,000 to 10,000 feet (1,220 to 3,050 meters) in elevation. Occasionally, it will wander into partially cleared areas or pastures next to its forest habitat.

History and conservation measures

The resplendent quetzal has long been revered by people throughout its range for its beauty and religious significance. The Maya and Aztec—powerful ancient South American civilizations—both worshipped the bird as the god of the air and used its tail in religious ceremonies. It was also associated with (and its tail used in the image of) the Aztec god Quetzalcóatl (pronounced ket-sel-coe-OT-el).

In modern times, the bird has been threatened by the clearing of cloud forests in its range. However, the quetzal has been designated as Guatemala's national bird. Cloud forests are now protected in various areas in Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. With these safe habitats, biologists believe the resplendent quetzals' population will eventually stabilize.