Home › Aves › Trogonidae › Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno)
SPECIES PROFILE
Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno)
Pharomachrus
IUCN STATUS
Near Threatened
CONSERVATION STATUS
Near Threatened
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Cloud forests from southern Mexico to western Panama; in Mexico restricted to Chiapas cloud forests
DIET
Omnivore
HABITAT
Humid montane cloud forest at 1,200–3,000 m elevation; associated with wild avocado trees whose fruit it specialises on
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Trogoniformes
FAMILY
Trogonidae
GENUS
Pharomachrus
📋 Description
SIZE
36–40 cm body; males add up to 65 cm tail streamers; 210 g
COLORATION
Males: iridescent emerald-green head, back, and elongated tail covert plumes; crimson belly; females duller with a shorter tail and barred underparts
ADAPTATIONS
Males grow spectacular streaming tail feathers for the breeding season; eats fruit whole and regurgitates seeds — a critical forest seed disperser
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Humid montane cloud forest at 1,200–3,000 m elevation; associated with wild avocado trees whose fruit it specialises on
DIET
Omnivore
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Cloud forests from southern Mexico to western Panama; in Mexico restricted to Chiapas cloud forests
REPRODUCTION
Excavates a nest cavity in a soft rotting tree trunk; 2 eggs; both parents incubate; male's long tail streamers often stick out of the nest entrance
DIET DETAILS
Wild avocado fruits (Lauraceae family) are the dietary cornerstone; also other forest fruits, insects, lizards, and frogs
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Cloud forest loss from agricultural encroachment and logging; climate change shifting cloud cover upward; pet trade capture
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The Resplendent Quetzal was considered the most sacred bird by the Maya and Aztec civilisations; its tail feathers were more valuable than gold and could only be worn by royalty.
2
The Quetzal's relationship with wild avocado trees is an ancient mutualism — the bird swallows the fruit whole and disperses the large seed; without quetzals, wild avocado regeneration dramatically declines.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve near Arriaga, Chiapas, is the most important Mexican stronghold for Resplendent Quetzal
La Sepultura Biosphere Reserve near Arriaga, Chiapas, has Resplendent Quetzal in accessible cloud forest
Reserva de la Biosfera La Encrucijada near Arriaga, Chiapas, borders Quetzal habitat in the Sierra Madre de Chiapas
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Spring breeding season. Cloud forest reserves near San Cristóbal de las Casas and El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve in Chiapas are the most accessible Mexican sites.
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
March to June for breeding season when males display their spectacular tail plumes; El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve and La Sepultura near Arriaga, Chiapas.
