Quetzal Dorado
White-tipped Quetzal
Pharomachrus fulgidus
Song
White-tipped Quetzal
Appearance: The White-tipped Quetzal is a medium-sized bird with vibrant plumage. The male has iridescent green upperparts, a red belly, and a distinctive white tip on its tail feathers. The female is less vibrant, with a duller green coloration and lacks the red belly.
Habitat: White-tipped Quetzals are typically found in the montane cloud forests of Colombia, especially in the Andes Mountains. They prefer dense, humid forests with tall trees and abundant vegetation.
Behavior: These quetzals are generally solitary birds and spend much of their time perched high in the canopy, where they feed on fruits, insects, and small vertebrates. They have a distinctive call that they use to communicate with each other.
Breeding: White-tipped Quetzals are monogamous and breed during the rainy season. They build their nests in tree cavities using moss, lichens, and other plant materials. The female usually lays 2-3 eggs, which both parents take turns incubating.
Conservation Status: The White-tipped Quetzal is considered Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
MALE
FEMALE
Distribution
The White-tipped Quetzal Is found in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
Taxonomy
The White-tipped Quetzal (Pharomachrus fulgidus)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Trogoniformes
- Family: Trogonidae
- Genus: Pharomachrus
- Species: Pharomachrus fulgidus
Vocalization
Calls: The White-tipped Quetzal's vocalizations consist of a variety of calls that have different purposes. Its common call is a series of melodious and resonant notes that can be described as a repetitive "kla-ruu" or "kluu-kluu" sound. This call is often used by both males and females to communicate with each other.
Courtship Calls: During the breeding season, male White-tipped Quetzals may engage in more elaborate vocal displays as part of courtship. These courtship calls can be more complex and may include trills, whistles, and other variations to attract a female and establish their dominance.
Territorial Calls: White-tipped Quetzals are known to defend their territories vocally by using specific calls to warn off intruders or competing males. These territorial calls are often loud, clear, and repeated to assert their presence in a particular area.
Contact Calls: In addition to calls used for communication within pairs or territories, White-tipped Quetzals also use contact calls to stay in touch with family members or flock mates while foraging or moving through the forest. These contact calls help maintain group cohesion and are essential for social interaction
