Surucua Trogon
Trogon surrucura
Often draws attention to its presence by its song: an ascending sequence of “kwa” notes, similar to Green-backed Trogon, but faster. Two subspecies occur in Brazil, Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina with limited geographical overlap that vary in the color of the breast and eyering; the southern one has a red belly and eyering, while the northern one has a yellow belly and eyering. The males of both subspecies have a violet-blue head and breast, a green back, and a white undertail. Females have a dull gray breast and the undertail is gray with white tips. Found in the middle to upper levels of forests and woodlands.
Identification
The nominate subspecies T. s. surrucura is 26 to 28 cm (10 to 11 in) long and weighs 56.3 to 78 g (2.0 to 2.8 oz). The male has a blackish face and throat with an orange ring around the eye. The crown, neck, and breast are royal blue and the back a coppery green that transitions to turquoise-green on the upperside of the tail. The folded wing has fine vermiculation that looks gray at a distance. The belly is pinkish red and the flanks gray. The underside of the tail is white with a black bar across the end. The female is mostly gray with the red of the belly beginning lower. Instead of the orange ring around the eye there are small white spots before and after it. The underside of the tail has a black and white pattern. T. s. aurantius is about 28 cm (11 in) long. The male differs from the nominate by having a yellow eye ring and an orange belly. The female's belly is yellowish white to orange-yellow.
Taxonomy
The International Ornithological Committee (IOC) and the Clements taxonomy recognize two subspecies of Surucua trogon, the nominate T. s. surrucura and T. s. aurantius. BirdLife International's Handbook of the Birds of the World (HBW) treats these two forms as separate species, the "southern" and "northern" Surucua trogons respectively.
- Scientific name
- Trogon surrucura
- Authority
- Vieillot, 1817
- Order
- Trogoniformes
- Family
- Trogonidae
- Genus
- Trogon
Range and habitat
The nominate subspecies of Surucua trogon is found from eastern Paraguay and northeastern Argentina east into Uruguay and in Brazil as far north as southeastern Tocantins. T. s. aurantius has a more restricted range in east central and eastern Brazil from Bahia south to São Paulo state. They inhabit the mid levels of primary and well-developed secondary forest and semideciduous woodland. T. s. aurantius often associates with bamboo. T. s. surrucura occurs as high as 1,150 m (3,800 ft) in Bahia, 1,550 m (5,100 ft) in Minas Gerais, and higher still in Rio de Janeiro state. T. s. aurantius occurs up to about 2,000 m (6,600 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The more northerly T. s. aurantius appears to be a year round resident in its range. T. s. surrucura is mostly sedentary but the southernmost birds move north for the austral winter.<p>The Surucua trogon's diet includes a wide variety of insects, both adults and larva, and also fruits and occasionally flowers. It sometimes joins mixed-species foraging flocks.<p>The Surucua trogon's breeding season spans from September to December and possibly into January. The nest is a cavity in a decayed tree or an arboreal termite nest. The one described clutch contained three eggs.<p>The Surucua trogon's song is "an ascending sequence of moderately high-pitched, 14–20 full 'diu' or 'kwa' notes, which increase slightly in amplitude". It makes a "kiarr" warning call.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
White Cockatoo
Cacatua alba
A medium-sized white cockatoo with yellow under the wings. The large crest, erected when birds are excited or alarmed, is entirely white. Usually found in pairs. Calls are loud screeches. Also known as Umbrella Cockatoo. Inhabits primary and secondary rainforest in the northern Moluccas; introduced to Taiwan and the Hawaiian island of Oahu.
Eastern Crested Guineafowl
Guttera pucherani
A large-bodied, small-headed, black gamebird perfectly lined with rows of hundreds of bluish-white spots. It has a ridiculous-looking plumed “toupee” above the naked face, which features a distinctive ivory-colored bill and a blood-red eye. The bare facial skin is red on the face and blue on the neck. Prefers forest and thickets, where it forages on the ground for berries, seeds, and other plant matter. The similar Helmeted Guineafowl differs by its lack of a feathered crest, having a bone-like casque on top of the head instead. The alarm call is a series of rattling, agitated notes that speed up and slow down; similar to the call of Helmeted Guineafowl, but with a tinnier quality.
Crested Spinetail
Cranioleuca subcristata
Distinctive small, bicolored bird, with a mostly pale olive-brown body, short crest, rufous wings, and long spiky rufous tail. Crown has narrow black stripes; bill pinkish and decurved. Very arboreal, actively foraging by hitching up branches and tree trunks, as well as by checking leaves and bromeliads. Often with mixed-species flocks. Common, mainly in foothills and lower montane regions. Usually in humid forest, tall secondary forest, and forest borders. Very vocal, the song an accelerating series of short, high notes.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.