Resplendent Quetzal vs Wilson's Bird-of-paradise
Pharomachrus mocinno compared with Cicinnurus respublica
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Resplendent Quetzal | Wilson's Bird-of-paradise |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pharomachrus mocinno | Cicinnurus respublica |
| Order | Trogoniformes | Passeriformes |
| Family | Trogonidae | Paradisaeidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Near Threatened |
| Length | 36.0 cm (14.2 in) | 16.0 cm (6.3 in) |
| Wingspan | 50.0 cm (19.7 in) | 19.0 cm (7.5 in) |
| Weight | 210.0 g (7.41 oz) | 55.0 g (1.94 oz) |
| Diet | Primarily wild avocados and other laurel family fruits, supplemented with insects, lizards, and frogs. A … | Fruit and insects gleaned from the forest canopy and subcanopy. Particularly favors figs. |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | -- |
| 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.
Wilson's Bird-of-paradise
Lowland and hill forests on the small islands of Waigeo and Batanta in the Raja Ampat archipelago, Indonesia.
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.
Wilson's Bird-of-paradise
Male gives a harsh, nasal 'waah' or 'eeah' from display perch. Song is poorly documented in wild. Also produces mechanical rattling wing sounds during display flights.
Geographic Range & Migration
Resplendent Quetzal
Southern Mexico through Central America to western Panama. Resident in mountain cloud forests.
Wilson's Bird-of-paradise
Endemic to the islands of Waigeo and Batanta off the northwestern tip of New Guinea, Indonesia.
Conservation Status
Resplendent Quetzal
Wilson's Bird-of-paradise
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
Wilson's Bird-of-paradise
Males have a brilliant red back, yellow nape, turquoise blue bare crown, and green breast shield. Violet-blue curled tail wires. Females are brownish with bare blue crown.
Short, slightly curved greyish bill
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.
Wilson's Bird-of-paradise
Wilson's bird-of-paradise is one of the most extraordinarily colored birds on Earth. Males meticulously clear a patch of forest floor as a display court, removing every leaf and twig. The species was virtually unknown to science until the late 20th century due to its restricted island range.