Trogons and Quetzals Trogons include Quetzals which are also in the order "trogoniformes"/family "trogonidae")
TROGONIDAE (Trogans and Quetzals) live in the tropics across the globe from Africa to Asia to America. Their scientific name refers to their habit of gnawing out nesting holes in trees. They are the only animals with heterodactyl feet (toes 3 and 4 forward and 1 and 2 back). Males have different, more colourful plumage than females.
The COLLARED TROGON, Trogon collaris, is native to southern Mexico through to the northern
half of South America. There are several subspecies over its range and also several similar-looking Trogons of separate species that are green
with the white "collar" separating a green breast from a red belly; some have different undertail patterns.
The sides have vermiculated plumage and the undertail is striped.
The female, above, is a muted olive-brown and red-orange version of the bright male plumage. The
undertail pattern is plainer.
The WHITE-TAILED TROGON, Trogon chionurus, is native to the northern part of South America and north to Panama.
The "white-tailed" part is the underside of the greenish tail. The male, above, has an iridescent green back and outer tail and resembles
the Green-backed Trogon (Trogon viridis) except for his white undertail.
The female White-tailed Trogon, above, has a grey head, chest, back and wings instead of the iridescent dark blue and green of the male.
Her yellow belly is much paler than his.
The BLACK-HEADED TROGON, Trogon
melanocephalus, looks similar to the White-tailed and has a patterned white under-tail but also has blue eye-rings
and a much stronger and more extensive yellow belly. It is native from Mexico to Costa Rica. Photos taken in Costa Rica
by Alexandra Makhnina.
The SUMATRAN TROGON, Apalharpactes mackloti, is native to the western part of the island of Sumatra, Indonesia.
It is closely related to the Blue-tailed Trogon from the island of Java.
The GOLDEN-HEADED QUETZAL, Pharomachrus auriceps, is native to mountain forests of northern South America.
The male is iridescent green with a bright red belly and black undertail (distinguishing him from the similar Crested Quetzal with white undertail).
His head is not so much golden as shiny light red and green. The female has a grey head and chest with duller green throat and wings and duller red belly.