Violaceous Trogon (Trogon violaceus braccatus)

23 January 2009, Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica A distant record shot in poor light. Here I follow Clements 6th which recognizes the northernmost race T. v. braccatus, ranging from southern Mexico to Costa Rica. However HBW says this race is invalid because T. v. sallaei has priority. If we follow HBW, the birds in Costa Rica are T. v. concinnus which Clements limits to Panama southward into South America. Males of both races have a blackish (less blue) head and paler gray wing covert cf. other races in South America. Trogons eat both fruit and insects, but the Violaceous Trogon appears to be more of a fruit-eater. Panasonic Lumix LZ5 / Nikon FieldScope 3 / 30X WA hand-held (no adapter)