The resplendent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) is a small bird found in Central America and southern Mexico that lives in tropical forests, particularly montane cloud forests. They are part of the family Trogonidae and have two recognized subspecies, P. m. mocinno and P. m. costaricensis. Like other quetzals, the resplendent is mostly omnivorous; its diet mainly consists of fruits of plants in the laurel family, Lauraceae, but it occasionally also preys on insects, lizards, frogs and snails.
The species is well known for its colorful and complex plumage that differs substantially between sexes. Males have iridescent green plumes, a red lower breast and belly, black innerwings and a white undertail, whilst females are duller and have a shorter tail. Grey lower breasts, bellies, and bills, along with bronze-green heads are characteristic of females. These birds hollow holes in decaying trees or use ones already made by woodpeckers as a nest site. They are known to take turns while incubating, males throughout the day and females at night. The female usually lays one to three eggs, which hatch in 17 to 19 days. The quetzal is an altitudinal migrant, migrating from the slopes to the canopy of the forest. This occurs during the breeding season, which varies depending on the location, but usually commences in March and extends as far as August.
The resplendent quetzal is considered near threatened on the IUCN Red List, with habitat destruction being the main threat. It has an important role in Mesoamerican mythology, and is closely associated with Quetzalcoatl, a deity. It is the national animal of Guatemala, being pictured on the flag and coat of arms; it also gives its name to the country's currency, the Guatemalan quetzal.
^BirdLife International (2016). "Pharomachrus mocinno". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22682727A92958465. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22682727A92958465.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
The resplendentquetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) is a small bird found in Central America and southern Mexico that lives in tropical forests, particularly...
for eared quetzals. Quetzals are fairly large (all over 32 cm (13 in) long), slightly bigger than other trogon species. The resplendentquetzal is the national...
"The ResplendentQuetzal" is a short story by Margaret Atwood. It was published in the collection Dancing Girls & Other Stories in 1977. Sarah and Edward...
The quetzal (locally [keˈtsal]; code: GTQ) is the currency of Guatemala, named after the national bird of Guatemala, the resplendentquetzal. In ancient...
related to the resplendentquetzal (P. mocinno). It is one of five species of the genus Pharomachrus known as quetzals. The term "quetzal" was originally...
with wind jewels. Animals thought to represent Quetzalcoatl include resplendentquetzals, rattlesnakes (coatl meaning "serpent" in Nahuatl), crows, and macaws...
and tail coverts of the resplendentquetzal (the second h is unexplained). The five species of this genus and the eared quetzal, the only living member...
center of the flag is the Guatemalan coat of arms. It includes the resplendentquetzal, the national bird of Guatemala that symbolizes liberty; a parchment...
seasons. This has been demonstrated using radio tracking in the resplendentquetzal in Costa Rica and evidence has been accumulated for a number of other...
region, especially the endangered national bird of Guatemala, the ResplendentQuetzal. Cubulco Granados Purulhá Rabinal Salamá San Jerónimo San Miguel...
wing coverts of members of the genus Pharomachrus (including the resplendentquetzal). It is a resident of the middle to upper levels of pine-oak woodlands...
Grenada | Web Portal. Retrieved 23 March 2023. "05 de septiembre, Día del Quetzal, Ave Nacional". CONAP (in Spanish). 4 September 2020. Retrieved 22 June...
The elements of the coat of arms has the following symbolism: The Resplendentquetzal is the national bird of Guatemala and represents freedom and independence...
or perched below canopy level. Some species, like the endangered resplendentquetzal have evolved some elaborate ornamental feathers, exemplifying how...
Babes in the Wood (2023) Short stories "Rape Fantasies" (1977) "The ResplendentQuetzal" (1977) "Happy Endings" (1983) "Unearthing Suite" (1983) "Freeforall"...
of the country's most elusive and beautiful birds, the endangered resplendentquetzal. Animal species living within the park include white-faced capuchin...
Babes in the Wood (2023) Short stories "Rape Fantasies" (1977) "The ResplendentQuetzal" (1977) "Happy Endings" (1983) "Unearthing Suite" (1983) "Freeforall"...
has a temperate climate with relatively high precipitation levels. Resplendentquetzal, Guatemala Turquoise-browed motmot, El Salvador and Nicaragua Keel-billed...
Babes in the Wood (2023) Short stories "Rape Fantasies" (1977) "The ResplendentQuetzal" (1977) "Happy Endings" (1983) "Unearthing Suite" (1983) "Freeforall"...
Babes in the Wood (2023) Short stories "Rape Fantasies" (1977) "The ResplendentQuetzal" (1977) "Happy Endings" (1983) "Unearthing Suite" (1983) "Freeforall"...
Babes in the Wood (2023) Short stories "Rape Fantasies" (1977) "The ResplendentQuetzal" (1977) "Happy Endings" (1983) "Unearthing Suite" (1983) "Freeforall"...
with bamboo understory, an excellent place to see the charismatic resplendentquetzal. Nearly 50% of the bird species recorded from Cerro de la Muerte...
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