Trogons

Appearance: Trogons in Colombia are known for their vibrant and striking plumage, with colors ranging from iridescent greens and blues to bold reds and violets. They have relatively large heads, short, broad wings, and long tails that make them stand out in the forest canopy. These birds are often considered among the most beautiful species due to their colorful feathers and unique markings.

Habitat: Trogons in Colombia inhabit a variety of ecosystems, including tropical rainforests, cloud forests, and mountainous regions. They are typically found in dense forest canopies where they can feed on insects, small vertebrates, and fruits. Trogons prefer mature forests with ample trees for nesting and foraging, making Colombia's diverse landscape an ideal habitat for these birds.

Behavior: Trogons are known for their solitary nature, often perching quietly in the treetops as they hunt for prey. Their strong, hooked bills enable them to catch insects on the wing or pluck fruits from tree branches. Trogons may also exhibit territorial behavior, using calls to communicate and defend their nesting sites within their preferred habitats.

Breeding: During the breeding season, trogons establish breeding territories and construct nest cavities in tree trunks or branches. Female trogons typically lay a small clutch of eggs, which both parents take turns incubating. Once the eggs hatch, the parents work together to feed and care for the young until they are ready to leave the nest.

Pavonine Quetzal

Pharomachrus pavoninus
Spanish Name: Quetzal Amazónico

Size: 13.5 in | 34 cm
Habitat: Dense tropical rainforests of the Amazon basin. Found in the mid to upper levels of the forest canopy.
Height: <600 m

Photo: © Blair Dudeck eBird S53477198 Macaulay Library ML 147579701

Golden-headed Quetzal

Pharomachrus auriceps
Spanish Name: Quetzal Colinegfro

Size: 13.5 in | 34 cm
Habitat: Montane cloud forest with dense vegetation.
Height: 1000-2800 m

Photo: © Ondrej Prosicky iStock/Getty Images Plus

White-tipped Quetzal

Pharomachrus fulgidus
Spanish Name: Quetzal Dorado

Size: 13.5 in | 34 cm
Habitat: Mountain cloud forest with dense foliage, high humidity, and a variety of fruit-bearing trees for feeding.
Height: 1400-2500 m

Photo: © Cullen Hanks eBird S50878690 Macaulay Library ML 170957101

Crested Quetzal

Pharomachrus antisianus
Spanish Name: Quetzal Crestado

Size: 13.5 in | 34 cm
Habitat: Mountain and cloud forest areas with thick vegetation, moss-covered trees, and a mix of fruit-bearing plants.
Height: 1400-2500 m

Photo: © Jorge Muñoz García CAQUETA BIRDING16 eBird S36352889 Macaulay Library ML 56056501

Slaty-tailed Trogon

Trogon massena
Spanish Name: Trogón Piquirrojo

Size: 12.5 in | 32 cm
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical forests with dense vegetation, near rivers or forest edges.
Height: <1200 m

Photo: © Aaron Juan eBird S53138171 Macaulay Library ML 142999191

Choco Trogon

Trogon comptus
Spanish Name: Trogón Ojiblanco

Size: 12.5 in | 32 cm
Habitat: Humid lowland and foothill forests of the Chocó region.
Height: <1200 m

Photo: © Nick Athanas eBird S51146769 Macaulay Library ML 132328041

Large-tailed Trogon

Trogon (melanurus) macroura
Spanish Name: Trogón Colinegro

Size: 12.5 in | 32 cm
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical moist forests, montane cloud forests, and forest edges.
Height: <500 m

Photo: © Photo: © Sam Woods eBird S112321061 Macaulay Library ML457172711

Black-tailed Trogon

Trogon (melanurus) melanurus
Spanish Name: Trogón Colinegro del Amazonas

Size: 12.5 in | 32 cm
Habitat: Humid lowland forest in the Amazon region.
Height: < m

Photo: © Carla Bregman eBird S35430500 Macaulay Library ML 52403911

Green-backed Trogon

Trogon viridis
Spanish Name: Trogón Coliblanco

Size: 11.5 in | 29 cm
Habitat: Dry to humid lowland forest.
Height: <1200 m

Photo: © Jerome E Foster iStock/Getty Images Plus

White-tailed Trogon

Trogon chionurus
Spanish Name: Trogón Coliblanco

Size: 11.5 in | 29 cm
Habitat: Tropical forests, humid-forest borders and second growth
Height: <1000 m

Photo: © Emily Turteltaub Nelson eBird S66273739 Macaulay Library ML 218475611

Gartered Trogon

Trogon (violaceus) caligatus
Spanish Name: Trogón Violáceo

Size: 9 in | 23 cm
Habitat: Tropical forests, including the Amazon Rainforest and other forested areas.
Height: <1400 m

Photo: © Daniel Jara iStock/Getty Images Plus

Amazonian Trogon

Trogon (violaceus) ramonianus
Spanish Name: Trogón violáceo Amazónico.

Size: 9 in | 23 cm
Habitat: Humid Tropical forest.
Height: <600 m

Blue-crowned Trogon

Trogon curucui
Spanish Name: Trogón Amazónico.

Size: 12.5 in | 32 cm
Habitat:
Height: <1200 m

Black-throated Trogon

Trogon rufus
Spanish Name: Trogón Esmeralda

Size: 10 in | 25 cm
Habitat: Humid tropical dense forest, mature forests with a diverse canopy.
Height: <1100 m

Collared Trogon

Trogon collaris
Spanish Name: Trogón Collajero

Size: 10.5 in | 27 cm
Habitat: Rainforests, cloud forests, and montane forests. Dense vegetation and found in the mid to upper canopy.
Height: <2400 m

Masked Trogon (subsp. Highland)

Trogon (personatus) temperatus
Spanish Name: Trogón Enmascarado

Size: 10.5 in | 27 cm
Habitat: Upper montane humid and wet forest.
Height: 2700-3500 m

Photo: ©

Masked Trogon, Trogon personatus personatus

Masked Trogon (subsp. Masked)

Trogon (personatus) personatus
Spanish Name: Trogón Enmascarado

Size: 10 in | 25 cm
Habitat: Montane humid forest.
Height: 1400-2700 m