Blue-tailed Trogon

Trogon comptus

Colorful trogon of lowland and foothill rainforest in western Ecuador and western Colombia. Both sexes have conspicuous white eyes, unmarked black tail, red belly, and mostly yellow bill. Male is green with a black face. Female is gray with a dark top to her yellow bill. Differs from Slaty-tailed Trogon by yellow (not orange) bill. Also similar to Ecuadorian Trogon, but lacks white on breast. Perches high in the trees for long periods, occasionally sallying out to take fruits or insects. Often first detected by song, a lazy series of 20 or more mellow whistles.

Identification

The Chocó trogon is about 28 cm (11 in) long and weighs about 104 g (3.7 oz). The male has a yellow bill, a black face and throat, and a white eye. Its crown, back, and breast are green with a bluish tinge, the rump purplish blue, and the belly and vent area red. The upperside of the tail is purplish blue with a broad black tip and the underside is slaty. The folded wing is gray with vermiculation. The female differs in having a slaty maxilla and gray head, back, breast, and upper belly.

Taxonomy

The Chocó trogon is monotypic.

Scientific name
Trogon comptus
Authority
Zimmer, JT, 1948
Order
Trogoniformes
Family
Trogonidae
Genus
Trogon

Range and habitat

The Chocó trogon is found from Colombia's northern Antioquia and northeastern Chocó Departments south into northwestern Ecuador's Pichincha Province. It inhabits the interior and edges of humid and wet forest. It favors hilly terrain from sea level to 1,800 m (5,900 ft) of elevation.

Migration
Resident species

Behavior

Nothing is known about the Chocó trogon's foraging behavior or diet. Evidence of the Chocó trogon eating fruits and arthropods has been found through stomach content analysis. <p>Individuals in breeding condition were noted in March but nothing else is known about the Chocó trogon's breeding phenology.<p>The Chocó trogon's song is "a slow repetition of 7-15 'cow' notes" and its call "a fast 'krr-krr-krr'."

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

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