Trogón Piquirrojo
Slaty-tailed Trogon
Trogon massena
Song
Slaty-tailed Trogon
Appearance: The Slaty-tailed Trogon is characterized by its vibrant plumage, including a metallic green upper body, a bright red belly, and a nice slaty-blue tail. The male and female birds exhibit sexual dimorphism, with the male featuring brighter colors and a black face mask, while the female has a duller plumage coloration.
Habitat: The Slaty-tailed Trogon inhabits a variety of forested habitats, including tropical and subtropical moist forests, montane forests, and cloud forests in the Andes Mountains. These birds can be found at different elevations, ranging from lowlands up to mid-mountain regions with dense vegetation for nesting and foraging.
Behavior: Slaty-tailed Trogons are skilled fliers and are known for their acrobatic maneuvers when catching insects in mid-air. They often perch quietly in the forest canopy and scan their surroundings for prey. Their vocalizations consist of a series of distinctive, low-pitched, melodious whistles.
Breeding: During the breeding season, male Slaty-tailed Trogons engage in elaborate courtship displays to attract females. They construct nests in tree cavities or abandoned woodpecker holes, where the female lays eggs and incubates them. Both parents participate in feeding the young once they hatch.
Conservation Status: The Slaty-tailed Trogon in Colombia is not considered globally threatened and is categorized as Least Concern by the IUCN.
MALE
FEMALE
Distribution
Pacific Coast: The Pacific coast region of Colombia, which includes areas like Chocó and Valle del Cauca, provides suitable habitat for the Slaty-tailed Trogon. The lush tropical rainforests and mangrove swamps along the Pacific coastline offer ideal conditions for this bird species.
Andean Region: The Andean region of Colombia, encompassing the Western, Central, and Eastern Andes mountain ranges, is another key area where the Slaty-tailed Trogon can be found. This bird inhabits montane cloud forests and humid Andean slopes at various elevations within the Andes.
Amazon Basin: The Amazon region includes the departments of Amazonas and Putumayo, provides additional habitat for the Slaty-tailed Trogon. The extensive Amazon rainforest and associated ecosystems offer suitable conditions for this bird species.
Magdalena Valley: The Magdalena River valley and surrounding regions, such as Tolima and Huila, also support populations of Slaty-tailed Trogons. The bird can be found in the humid forests and riparian habitats associated with the Magdalena River basin.
Caribbean Coast: While less common, Slaty-tailed Trogons also occur in some parts of the Caribbean coast in areas with suitable forested habitats such as the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the Tayrona National Natural Park.
Taxonomy
The Slaty-tailed Trogon (Trogon-massena)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Trogoniformes
- Family: Trogonidae
- Genus: Trogon
- Species: Trogon massena
Vocalization
Whistles: Slaty-tailed Trogons produce melodious whistling calls that are often described as low-pitched and mellow. These whistles can carry over relatively long distances through the forest, allowing individuals to communicate with one another and establish territories.
Chattering: Slaty-tailed Trogons are known to produce rapid chattering calls during interactions with other individuals or in response to perceived threats. These chattering vocalizations can convey alarm or excitement.
Advertising Calls: During the breeding season, male Slaty-tailed Trogons may engage in advertising calls aimed at attracting potential mates. These calls are often more elaborate and may involve a series of vocalizations that demonstrate the male's fitness and readiness to breed.
Contact Calls: Slaty-tailed Trogons use contact calls to maintain communication with their mates or offspring while foraging or moving through the forest. These calls help individuals stay in touch and coordinate their activities within their territory.
