Resplendent Quetzal vs White-tailed Trogon
Pharomachrus mocinno compared with Trogon chionurus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Resplendent Quetzal | White-tailed Trogon |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pharomachrus mocinno | Trogon chionurus |
| Order | Trogoniformes | Trogoniformes |
| Family | Trogonidae | Trogonidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | 36.0 cm (14.2 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 50.0 cm (19.7 in) | 27.0 cm (10.6 in) |
| Weight | 210.0 g (7.41 oz) | 88.0 g (3.10 oz) |
| Diet | Primarily wild avocados and other laurel family fruits, supplemented with insects, lizards, and frogs. A … | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 2-3 |
| 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.
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.
White-tailed Trogon
Geographic Range & Migration
Resplendent Quetzal
Southern Mexico through Central America to western Panama. Resident in mountain cloud forests.
White-tailed Trogon
Conservation Status
Resplendent Quetzal
White-tailed Trogon
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
White-tailed Trogon
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.