Resplendent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno)
The resplendent quetzal is a bird in the trogon family. It is found from Chiapas, Mexico to western Panama. It is well known for its colorful plumage. There are two subspecies, P. m. mocinno and P. m. costaricensis.
The resplendent quetzal plays an important role in various types of Mesoamerican mythology. It is the national bird of Guatemala. This species is 36 to 40 cm long, plus up to 65 cm of tail streamer for the male, and weighs about 210 g.Resplendent quetzals are weak fliers. Resplendent quetzals are considered specialized fruit-eaters, although they mix their diet with insects, frogs and lizards. Particularly important are wild avocados and other fruit of the laurel family, which the birds swallow whole before regurgitating the pits, which helps to disperse these trees. The resplendent quetzal is classified as near threatened on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss.
photo credits: Harleybroker,
Supreet Sahoo, Joseph C Boone
