Resplendent Quetzal vs Lattice-tailed Trogon

Pharomachrus mocinno compared with Trogon clathratus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Resplendent Quetzal Lattice-tailed Trogon
Scientific Name Pharomachrus mocinno Trogon clathratus
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) 32.0 cm (12.6 in)
Weight 210.0 g (7.41 oz) 130.0 g (4.59 oz)
Diet Primarily wild avocados and other laurel family fruits, supplemented with insects, lizards, and frogs. A … --
Clutch Size 1-2 --
Population Trend — —

Size Comparison

Body Length
Resplendent Quetzal 36.0 cm
Lattice-tailed Trogon —
Wingspan
Resplendent Quetzal 50.0 cm
Lattice-tailed Trogon 32.0 cm
Weight
Resplendent Quetzal 210.0 g
Lattice-tailed Trogon 130.0 g

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Resplendent Quetzal only

Lattice-tailed Trogon only

None

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

Song

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.

Lattice-tailed Trogon

Geographic Range & Migration

Resplendent Quetzal

Southern Mexico through Central America to western Panama. Resident in mountain cloud forests.

Lattice-tailed Trogon

Conservation Status

Near Threatened

Resplendent Quetzal

Least Concern

Lattice-tailed Trogon

How to Tell Them Apart

Resplendent Quetzal

Plumage

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.

Bill

Short, broad, bright yellow bill partially hidden by green feathers

Lattice-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.

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