Trogonidae bird family

Order Trogoniformes · 7 selected species

Browse verified BirdLens profiles selected for complete taxonomy, substantial descriptive coverage, and visual evidence. Open a species to compare its identification notes, distribution, behavior, sounds, and maps.

Cinnamon-rumped TrogonHarpactes orrhophaeusShy and inactive inhabitant of the lower levels of wet lowland and foothill forest. Male has a pitch-black head, orangey-brown back, and eye-catching scarlet breast and belly. Female has yellow underparts and a more grayish head. Very similar to Scarlet-rumped Trogon, but note Cinnamon-rumped’s uncontrasting brownish-orange rump. Song is a brief series of descending “tyaup” notes.

Elegant TrogonTrogon elegansStriking male has bronzy-green head and breast and bright red belly; female grayish-brown with limited red belly and distinctive white squiggle behind eye. Compare with Mountain Trogon, which overlaps extensively in range. Note undertail pattern: fine black-and-white barring with large white tips on the feathers. Habitat is also useful; Elegant typically found at lower elevations than Mountain, but some overlap. Occurs from Arizona to Costa Rica in thorn forest, canyons, and mountains up to around 2000 m, locally higher. Like other trogons, stoic and unobtrusive, often sitting still for long periods of time and sallying out quickly to catch insects. Listen for series of harsh descending barks.

Golden-headed QuetzalPharomachrus auricepsLarge trogon, shimmering emerald above with red belly. Male has noticeable golden sheen on head and yellow bill; female has brown head and duller brownish chest and bill. In all plumages, look for entirely dark tail and dark eye to help separate from similar Crested Quetzal. Found in forests and edges in the subtropical zones. Tends to perch stolidly in the subcanopy; can be difficult to spot. Most often seen in the vicinity of a fruiting tree, singly or in pairs, although sometimes several birds can gather at a food source. Listen for mournful song, a repeated “go home, go home, go home.”

Mountain TrogonTrogon mexicanusFairly large trogon of pine and pine-oak forests in highlands; usually at upper levels in trees and often rather shy. Male is striking, with big, bold white squares on underside of tail. Female has broken white eyering on brown head and coarse black-and-white pattern under the tail. Elegant Trogon overlaps in range and can be told from Mountain by the coppery color on the top of the tail (male) or by the white stripe behind the eye (female). Also note the finely patterned tail on both male and female Elegant Trogons. The similar but smaller Collared Trogon is found mainly at lower elevation and has much finer barring on the underside of the tail.

Pavonine QuetzalPharomachrus pavoninusStocky green-and-red quetzal of lowland rainforest. Perches in the mid story of mature rainforest, where most common in upland (terra firme) areas and areas around water. Compared to trogons, is larger and chunkier, with a red bill and without a prominent eye ring. The green uppertail coverts are long, extending down the back side of the tail to just past the tail tip. Listen for its song, a repeated two note series of a breathy whistle followed by a soft note, “wheeew … tuck … wheeew … tuck …”.

Resplendent QuetzalPharomachrus mocinnoLarge, spectacular trogon of humid evergreen and pine-evergreen forest in the mountains of southern Mexico and Central America. It is the national bird (and lends its name to the currency) of Guatemala. Usually rather shy, but can be found feeding quietly at fruiting trees. Male is unmistakable with long emerald plumes flowing out behind in flight or blowing in the wind when perched. On females, note large size, grayish head, gray bill, and greatly reduced jagged plumes on the side of the breast.