Resplendent Quetzal

P. m. costaricensis P. m. mocinno

The Resplendent Quetzal is classified as Near Threatened (NT), is close to qualifying for or is likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future.

The Resplendent Quetzal, Pharomachrus mocinno, is a spectacular bird of the trogon family. It is found from southern Mexico to western Panama (unlike the other quetzals of the genus Pharomachrus, which are found in South America and eastern Panama). There are two subspecies, P. m. mocinno and P. m. costaricensis, the Costa Rican Resplendent Quetzal. This quetzal plays an important role in Mesoamerican mythologies. More

Quetzal PaintingThe Resplendent Quetzal, the brilliant bird found in the cloud forests of Central America, was sacred to the Mayans and figures prominently in their artwork and legends. Today the Quetzal is the national bird of Guatemala, and name to the Guatemalan currency. Despite its legendary history, the Quetzal (also spelled Quetzel and Quesal) is in danger of extinction, partly due to hunting of the bird for food and trade, but mainly due to destruction of its elevated habitat to clear land for subsistence agriculture. More

The Resplendent Quetzal is mostly found in Central America, in countries such as Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Panama and Guatemala. Diet The Resplendent Quetzal is omnivorous. Their favorite foods are fruits that are associated with the avocado family (see picture at right). They will also dine on insects and small vertebrates such as lizards and frogs. More

Resplendent Quetzals live in the cloud forests of Central America. Cloud forests are defined as tropical or subtropical forests, often located in higher altitudes, that have a large amount of cloud cover or low, settling fog. Size and Description The Resplendent Quetzal is roughly 14 - 16 inches in length. More

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. During mating season, male quetzals grow twin tail feathers that form an amazing train up to three feet (one meter) long. Females do not have long trains, but they do share the brilliant blue, green, and red coloring of their mates. More

resplendent quetzal is accurately acclaimed as the most magnificent bird in the western hemisphere and some even say the most beautiful bird on earth. Worldwide, there are some 40 species and ten are found in Costa Rica, making the quetzal truly one of the country’s greatest natural treasures. Although the female quetzal is beautiful in its own right, it’s the male that bird watchers worldwide want to catch a glimpse of. More

Resplendent Quetzals have a green body (showing iridescence from green-gold to blue-violet) and red breast. Their green upper tail coverts hide their tails and in breeding males are particularly splendid, being longer than the rest of the body. The wing-coverts are also unusually long and give a fringed appearance. The male has a helmet-like crest. More

Resplendent Quetzal Habitat The Quetzal prefers damp mountain forests, and is most active in the canopy and edges; it may survive in heavily deforested areas, but only if there remain woods with adequate feeding and nesting trees. Range This bird persists from southern Mexico to western Panama, at elevations between 1,500 and 2,500 m; in Costa Rica they may be found from 1,300 m to 3,000 m in elevation. More

Resplendent Quetzals (Pharomachrus Mocinno) are found exclusively in Central American rainforests, from Southern Mexico and the Yucatan peninsula, through Panama. They are members of the trogon family, which consists of a number of colorful species of birds, most of which fall into a range between Northern Mexico and Northern Argentina. Unlike the other species of trogons and quetzals, which are found throughout the Amazon rainforest, the Resplendent Quetzal is only located in remote areas of Southern Central America. More

The resplendent quetzal, Pharomachrus mocinno, has often been called the most spectacular bird in the New World. Known for its vibrant plumage, the quetzal is the largest member of the trogon avian order. There are two subspecies, P. m. mocinno and P. m. costaricenis, respectively known as the resplendent quetzal and the Costa Rican resplendent quetzal, a species important to Mesoamerican myth. Because of its ancient significance, the resplendent quetzal is Guatemala’s national bird, and today lends its name to their currency. More

* Male resplendent quetzal, or resplendent trogon (Pharomachrus mocinno). Male resplendent quetzal, or resplendent trogon (Pharomachrus mocinno). More

The Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) has been called "the most spectacular bird in the New World" (Peterson and Chalif, 1973). The Quetzal was the most sacred symbol of the Aztecs and Mayas. Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent, is seen wearing the long tail plumes of the male Quetzal, which only the royalty of these societies were allowed to wear. The name quetzal is an ancient Indian term for tail feather and the bird itself represents liberty. More

Product Details Female Resplendent Quetzal Bearing Food for its Nestlings in a Hollowed Tree Photographic Poster Print by Steve Winter, 24x32 by AllPosters.comBuy new: $79.99 In stock. Processing takes an additional 2 to 3 days.Home & Garden: See all 82 items 5. More

The Resplendent Quetzal has long been cherished in Guatemala. Where this exquisite, "Emerald Green" bird, is depicted on the Guatemala National Shield, the Guatemala Flag, the Guatemala Postage stamps, and even Guatemala's Currency, (which just happens to be called the "quetzal"). This great ancient center of the Mayan Empire, still honors this legendary bird. More

Male resplendent quetzal in tree© kevinschafer.com Male resplendent quetzal perched in tree, showing tail feathers© Tom Ulrich / www.osfimages.com Resplendent quetzal male dorsal view, showing tail© P. Morris / www.ardea.com Detail of male resplendent quetzal tail covert feathers© Kevin Schafer / www.nhpa.co.uk Female resplendent quetzal© P. Morris / www.ardea.com Male resplendent quetzal (subspecies costaricensis) perched on branch© Hans D. Dossenbach / www.ardea. More

The resplendent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno), the national bird of Guatemala, is regarded as one of the most beautiful birds on the planet. The male's bright mixture of red and green with its elegant tail feathers have long caught the human eye. It is documented that both Mayan and Aztec nobility adorned themselves with these splendid feathers at ceremonies. Quetzals stand at 14 inches and, without their 36-inch tail feathers, males are about the size of a common pigeon. More

Videos and images Male resplendent quetzal in tree The most spectacular feature of the resplendent quetzal, often held to be the most beautiful and ornate bird species in the Western Hemisphere, is the greatly elongated, glistening emerald-green tail feathers of breeding males. These are longer than ... More

observed these Resplendent Quetzals in May of 2007 at the Savegre Mountain Hotel in San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica, which is located at about 7000 feet (2134 m) in the Cordillera de Talamanca (Talamanca Mountains). Male Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) in an Aguacatillo or Wild Avocado (Persea sp. More

Resplendent Quetzal in the Volcan Bar More

The Resplendent Quetzal is found in southern Mexico and in Central America. There are two subspecies, Pharomachrus mocinno mocinno and P. mocinno costaricensis, the Costa Rican Resplendent Quetzal. This quetzal plays an important role in Mesoamerican myth. Resplendent Quetzals are striking birds, with a green body (showing iridescence from green-gold to blue-violet) and red breast. More