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Quetzal (female)

Description:

Quetzals are strikingly colored birds in the trogon family. They are fairly large (all over 32 cm or 13 inches long), slightly bigger than other trogon species. Quetzals have iridescent green or golden-green wing coverts, back, chest and head, with a red belly. They are strongly sexually dimorphic, and parts of the females' plumage are brown or grey. These largely solitary birds feed on fruits, berries, insects and small vertebrates (such as frogs). Despite their bright plumage, they can be surprisingly difficult to see in their wooded habitats. The bird was sacred to the ancient Maya and Aztec peoples, and royalty and priests wore its feathers during ceremonies.

Habitat:

They are found in forests and woodlands, especially in humid highlands.

Notes:

I think this might be the Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno)

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4 Comments

pamsai
pamsai 10 years ago

Yes Marc Te, I saw them in Monteverde.

MarcTe
MarcTe 10 years ago

Did you see them in Monteverde? I had the luck to see one young quetzal in november 2011 ;)

pamsai
pamsai 10 years ago

Yes Maria... I saw 2! The male and the female! But unfortunately the weather conditions were completely wrong for photos! Cloud and rain in a rainforest!!

The MnMs
The MnMs 10 years ago

Such a nice luck to encounter a quetzal! :-)

pamsai
Spotted by
pamsai

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Spotted on Aug 3, 2013
Submitted on Sep 23, 2013

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