Details
Pharomachrus mocinno
The resplendent quetzal is a vivid bird of Central American cloud forest. Diurnal pairs use fruit-rich forest canopies.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It favors humid montane and cloud forest, especially where wild avocado relatives fruit. Soft decaying trunks are needed for nesting cavities.
Wingspan is about 64-100 cm and weight about 180-220 g. Males have metallic green plumage, a red belly, and very long upper tail coverts; females are plainer.
Active by day, it moves quietly from midstory to canopy. Short flights carry it to fruiting trees, and pairs hold breeding areas.
It is omnivorous but eats many fruits. It also takes insects and small animals, while dispersing seeds of swallowed fruit.
Pairs enlarge holes in decaying trees and share incubation and feeding. The male's long plumes may hang outside the cavity.
Its status is listed as Near Threatened. Loss and fragmentation of cloud forest are key concerns, making connected montane forest important.
