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Photo: © Luis A. Materon
collared-trogon

Collared Trogon

Trogon collaris
Trogón Collarejo
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Song

Collared Trogon

Appearance: The Collared Trogon is a medium-sized bird, measuring about 25 cm (10 inches) in length. It has a distinctive appearance with a metallic green back, a reddish-brown belly, and a white or pale yellow band across its breast. Males typically have a reddish-orange eye ring, while females have a white eye ring.
Habitat: Collared Trogons are typically found in tropical and subtropical forests, including humid lowland forests, foothill forests, and cloud forests. They prefer dense vegetation with a mix of trees and shrubs, often inhabiting the mid to upper levels of the canopy.
Behavior: Collared Trogons are known for their vocalizations, which include a series of melodious whistles and calls. They are usually solitary birds and can remain perched quietly for extended periods while scanning for prey. Their diet consists mainly of insects, small fruits, and occasionally small reptiles.
Breeding: Collared Trogons breed during the rainy season. They typically excavate nest holes in decaying trees or use natural tree cavities for nesting. The female lays a small clutch of eggs, and both parents take turns incubating the eggs and caring for the young after hatching.
Conservation Status: In Colombia, the Collared Trogon is considered to have a stable population and is not currently listed as a species of concern.
MALE
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Photo: © Eduardo Lago V.
FEMALE
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Photo: © Eduardo Lago V.

Distribution

Northern Andes: The Collared Trogon can be found in the northern part of the Colombian Andes, including regions such as Norte de Santander, Santander, and Boyacá. Within the Andean mountain range, they inhabit montane forests and cloud forests at mid to high elevations.
Central Andes: The Collared Trogon is also present in the central part of the Colombian Andes, including areas in the departments of Caldas, Risaralda, Quindío, and Tolima. These regions offer suitable habitat for trogons in the cloud forests and humid montane forests.
Western Andes: In the western slopes of the Andes mountain range in Colombia, the Collared Trogon can be found in regions such as Antioquia and Chocó. These areas provide tropical and subtropical forest habitats where trogons thrive.
Magdalena Valley: The Collared Trogon may also occur in the Magdalena Valley region of Colombia. This area includes parts of the departments of Huila, Tolima, and Cundinamarca, where trogons can be found in forested areas along the Magdalena River and its tributaries.
Amazon Region and the Orinoquía

Taxonomy

The Collared Trogon (Trogon collaris)
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Aves (Birds)
  • Order: Trogoniformes
  • Family: Trogonidae
  • Genus: Trogon
  • Species: Trogon collaris

Vocalization

Call: The call of the Collared Trogon is a series of distinctive, melodious whistles. The most common call is a repeated "whit" or "whit-whit" sound that is often described as clear and penetrating. These calls are typically delivered from a perch within the forest canopy and can carry over long distances.
Song: The song of the Collared Trogon is a combination of soft whistles and trills. Male trogons may sing to establish territories or attract mates. The song is usually composed of a mix of notes, varying in pitch and duration, creating a musical and enchanting sound characteristic of trogons.
Alarm Call: When disturbed or threatened, Collared Trogons may emit a rapid, high-pitched series of calls to alert others of potential danger. This alarm call is usually sharp and urgent, signaling a need for heightened vigilance or defensive behavior.
Advertising Call: During the breeding season, male Collared Trogons may produce an advertising call to attract females or declare their presence within a territory. This call can be more elaborate and prolonged compared to regular calls, serving as a vocal display of fitness and readiness to mate.