Resplendent Quetzal vs Secretary Bird
Pharomachrus mocinno compared with Sagittarius serpentarius
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Resplendent Quetzal | Secretary Bird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pharomachrus mocinno | Sagittarius serpentarius |
| Order | Trogoniformes | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Trogonidae | Sagittariidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Endangered |
| Length | 36.0 cm (14.2 in) | 130.0 cm (51.2 in) |
| Wingspan | 50.0 cm (19.7 in) | 210.0 cm (82.7 in) |
| Weight | 210.0 g (7.41 oz) | 3700.0 g (130.51 oz) |
| Diet | Primarily wild avocados and other laurel family fruits, supplemented with insects, lizards, and frogs. A … | Snakes, lizards, small mammals, and large insects. Hunts on foot, stomping prey to death with … |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 1-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Resplendent Quetzal
Montane cloud forests at elevations between 1,200 and 3,000 meters. Requires old-growth forest with dead trees for nesting cavities.
Secretary Bird
Open grasslands, savannas, and light woodland across sub-Saharan Africa. Avoids dense forests and very arid regions.
Song & Call Comparison
Resplendent Quetzal
Melodious, repetitive cooing: a series of 'kowee-kowee-kowee' or 'woh-woh-woh-woh' phrases. Male sings from high exposed perches in cloud forest canopy. Evocative highland call.
Secretary Bird
A surprisingly deep, resonant croaking 'kowrr-kowrr' often heard at dawn on African savannas. Also gives pig-like grunting sounds. Mostly silent compared to true songbirds.
Geographic Range & Migration
Resplendent Quetzal
Southern Mexico through Central America to western Panama. Resident in mountain cloud forests.
Secretary Bird
Sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal and Somalia south to South Africa. Resident throughout its range.
Conservation Status
Resplendent Quetzal
Secretary Bird
How to Tell Them Apart
Resplendent Quetzal
Males have iridescent emerald-green upperparts, a crimson-red breast, and extraordinarily long green tail coverts streaming up to 65 cm beyond the tail. Females are duller with grey breasts.
Short, broad, bright yellow bill partially hidden by green feathers
Secretary Bird
Grey body plumage with black flight feathers and thigh feathers. Distinctive long black crest feathers trail from the back of the head. Orange-red bare facial skin.
Short, strong, hooked greyish bill with a yellowish cere
About These Birds
Resplendent Quetzal
The resplendent quetzal was considered divine by the Maya and Aztec civilizations, associated with the feathered serpent god Quetzalcoatl. Its iridescent green plumage and long tail streamers make it one of the most beautiful birds in the world. Guatemala's currency is named after this bird.
Secretary Bird
The secretary bird is the only raptor that hunts primarily on foot, striding through grasslands on crane-like legs up to 1.2 meters tall. Its name may derive from the crest feathers resembling quill pens tucked behind a secretary's ear. The species is classified as Endangered due to habitat loss and decline across much of its range.