The Resplendent Quetzal, an iconic bird of Central America.
Introduction
The Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) is a mythical exotic bird of medium size belonging to the Trogonidae family. Revered by pre-Columbian civilizations such as the Mayans and Aztecs, it was associated with Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent god, and considered a symbol of goodness and light. It is the national bird of Guatemala and appears on its flag and currency. Its dimensions are as follows:
Body Length: 36 to 40 cm
Total Length (with male's tail feathers): up to 1 meter
Weight: 180 to 210 grams
What makes it unique, especially the male, is its iridescent, brilliant green-blue plumage, bright red belly, and very long tail feathers that can measure up to 65 cm, giving it a spectacular appearance. The Resplendent Quetzal is an inhabitant of the humid mountain forests of Central America, where it plays a crucial role in dispersing the seeds of the fruit trees it feeds on.
Our Ornithologist's Advice
By the Les-Oiseaux.com team, published August 1, 2025.
My personal advice: Observing a Resplendent Quetzal in its natural habitat is an unforgettable experience. These birds are discreet despite their vibrant colors. To maximize your chances of spotting it, here are two key elements to consider:
Time and Place: The Resplendent Quetzal lives in high-altitude cloud forests (often between 1000 and 3000 meters) in Central America. It is most active and easily observable early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when it feeds on fruits or returns to its nest. Look for fruit trees (especially laurels) in the canopy, as this is where it spends most of its time. Reserves like Monteverde in Costa Rica or high-altitude areas in Guatemala are prime observation spots.
Male Plumage: The male is particularly spectacular with its long tail feathers and iridescent green plumage. Its camouflage is surprisingly effective despite its bright colors, thanks to the phenomenon of iridescence that reflects the surrounding foliage. Look for a flash of green or red, or listen for its distinctive calls. During the breeding season, it is more vocal and performs display flights. Be patient and use binoculars to scan the canopy.
By paying attention to these details, you will significantly increase your chances of encountering this flying jewel.
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Identification
The Resplendent Quetzal is distinguished by marked sexual dimorphism, particularly by the length of the male's tail feathers.
Male: The dominant plumage is a brilliant iridescent green-blue, which changes reflections (coppery, golden) depending on the light, providing excellent camouflage in the forest. Its belly, lower chest, and undertail coverts are bright red. The flight feathers are black and the outer rectrices are white, visible beneath the long green train. The most striking feature is the pair of very long uppertail coverts, called "streamers", which can reach up to 65 cm (sometimes up to 1 meter in total length for the bird) and extend far beyond the tail tip. A short crest of green feathers, sometimes bristly, adorns its head. Its beak is yellow and its eyes are dark brown. Its legs and toes are pale pink.
Female: She has similar colors but her plumage is duller, less shiny. She does not have the male's long tail feathers and her tail is short. Her beak is grey-black. Her lower chest and upper abdomen are buff-grey.
Juvenile: Young quetzals generally resemble the female, with duller plumage and often more bronze-green on the upper parts. Immature males have not yet developed the long tail feathers of the adult.
The female Resplendent Quetzal has more discreet plumage and a shorter tail than the male.
Scientific Dimensions and Records (Resplendent Quetzal)
Characteristic
Male
Female
Record / Average
Body Length
36 – 40 cm
36 – 40 cm
36 – 40 cm (adults)
Total Length (with tail)
Up to 100 cm
36 – 40 cm
Up to 1 meter (male)
Weight
180 – 210 g
180 – 210 g
180 – 210 g (adults)
Wingspan
Not specified
Not specified
Not specified (undulating and graceful flight)
Life Expectancy
12 – 25 years
12 – 25 years
Up to 25 years (in the wild)
These figures highlight the elegance and remarkable size of the male Resplendent Quetzal, largely due to its impressive tail feathers.
Song and Calls
The Resplendent Quetzal is generally a discreet exotic bird outside the breeding season, but it has a varied vocal repertoire. Its main song is a melodic two-note whistle, often described as a "k'yoi-k'yow k'yoi-k'yow" or "whee'o-whee'u whee'o-whee'u", repeated at regular intervals. It can also emit harsher sounds like a "k'wak" or regular "ka-ka-ka...". During nuptial flights or when excited, a rolling chatter "kwar-ahrr-rrak..." can be heard. Alarm calls such as "aiy-aiy-aiy" or a monotonous "wee-wee-wee" are also used in the presence of danger or intruders. During territorial defense, the male may emit high-pitched whistles.
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Habitat and Distribution of the Resplendent Quetzal
The Resplendent Quetzal is endemic to the humid mountain forests of Central America, particularly cloud forests, characterized by high humidity, an abundance of epiphytes, and a dense canopy. It is generally found at altitudes between 1000 and 3000 meters, although observations exist between 900 and 3200 meters depending on the region. Its range extends from southern Mexico (Chiapas and Oaxaca) through Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and western Panama. It is not a long-distance migrant but undertakes seasonal altitudinal movements based on the availability of food resources, especially fruits.
Distribution Map
Present all year (Resident)
Diet
The diet of the Resplendent Quetzal is primarily frugivorous. It feeds predominantly on fruits, especially those from plants of the Lauraceae family, such as wild avocados (Persea americana), but also figs and citrus fruits. It picks fruits while hovering or by diving to snatch them, swallowing them whole and then regurgitating the pit, making it an essential seed disperser for tropical forest regeneration. In addition to fruits, it also consumes animal protein, including invertebrates (beetles, larvae, flies, orthopterans, moths) as well as small vertebrates such as lizards, frogs, and snails.
Reproduction
The Resplendent Quetzal reaches sexual maturity around 3 to 6 years of age and is generally monogamous, forming lifelong pairs. The breeding season varies by geographical location, generally extending from March to July depending on the regions of Central America. During courtship display, the male performs spectacular acrobatic flights and emits songs to attract the female, a behavior also found in other exotic birds like certain birds of paradise. Both parents participate in excavating the nest, which is a cavity in a dead or decaying tree trunk, often an old woodpecker nest. The female lays one to three (usually two) light blue eggs directly on the bottom of the cavity, without adding nesting materials. Incubation lasts about 17 to 19 days, and both parents take turns incubating the eggs (the male by day, the female by night). The chicks are initially fed with insects, then with fruits, by both parents. This fruit-rich diet is shared by other tropical species such as the rainbow lorikeet. The young leave the nest after about 3 weeks (23 to 31 days), sometimes before being able to fly perfectly, and the mortality rate of the young is high due to predators and adverse weather. After nesting, the male loses his long tail feathers, which will regrow for the following season.
Conservation Status
The Resplendent Quetzal is classified as "Near Threatened" (NT) by the IUCN. Although protected in many areas of its range, its population is declining. The main threats to the species are habitat loss and fragmentation due to deforestation for agriculture and urban development, as well as poaching for its feathers and illegal trade. Cloud forests, its preferred habitat, are among the most threatened ecosystems in the world. Conservation efforts include the creation of national parks and nature reserves in the countries where it is present, particularly in Costa Rica and Guatemala. However, captive breeding programs are difficult because the bird does not tolerate cage life well and may starve or dehydrate itself.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to recognize the Resplendent Quetzal?
The adult male Resplendent Quetzal is famous for its iridescent green-blue plumage, bright red belly, and very long tail feathers that can reach up to 65 cm. The female has similar but duller plumage and a much shorter tail.
Where does the Resplendent Quetzal live?
It lives in humid mountain forests, especially cloud forests, in Central America, from southern Mexico to western Panama, generally between 1000 and 3000 meters above sea level.
What does the Resplendent Quetzal eat?
It is primarily a frugivore, feeding mainly on fruits of laurels like wild avocados. Its diet is supplemented by insects, small frogs, and lizards.
