Pharomachrus mocinno mocinno

(de la Llave, 1832)

Vernacular names
English : Resplendent quetzal
French : Quetzal resplendissant

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Trogoniformes
Family : Trogonidae
Notes : 1 other subspecies known.

Identification
Adults grow to 40 cm in length for a weight of 210 g. Male has very long iridescent tail plumes, iridescent green wings, back, breast and head with large crest, bright red belly. Female has no crest, grey belly, red rump, black and white tail.

Range and habitat
The species occurs patchily in Central America, from Mexico to Western Panama. This subspecies is found from south Mexico to Nicaragua. Lives in the canopy of undisturbed humid and cloud forests, from 900 to 3200 meters.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NEAR THREATENED
CITES : Appendix I
Status : The species was previously endangered by poaching. Now habitat loss and population fragmentation is the main threat for its survival.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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