Resplendent Quetzal

The Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) is a small bird found in southern Mexico and Central America, with two recognized subspecies, P. m. mocinno and P. m. costaricensis. These creatures are members of the Trogonidae family and are found in tropical woods, notably montane cloud forests. The dazzling quetzal is an omnivore like other quetzals; it primarily consumes fruits from the Lauraceae family, but it also occasionally eats insects, lizards, frogs, and snails.

The resplendent quetzal is the largest trogon. The tail streamers of the nominate subspecies range in length from 31 cm to 100.5 cm, with the median length for males being 75 cm. It is 36 to 40 cm long. The costaricensis subspecies is slightly smaller than the nominate subspecies and has shorter wings and bills than the nominate subspecies, which weighs about 210 g. The median length of the tail plumes, which range in length from 63 cm to 86 cm, is shorter and slimmer. While females are duller and have shorter tails, males have iridescent green plumes, a red lower breast and belly, black inner wings, and a white undertail. Females are distinguished by having bronze-green heads, grey lower breasts, bellies, and bills.