Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno costaricensis)
28 January 2009, Savegre Mountain Hotel, San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica
It is pronounced "ket-saal." This cooperative male kept returning to the
same fruiting tree, but it was a challenge to get the entire bird in the
frame.
This iconic species is much sought after. The male has extraordinarily long
uppertail coverts which hang well beyond the tail. In display, the males
raise their tails rhythmically and the four streamers bounce up and down.
Elongated saw-toothed wing-coverts extending over the sides of the breast
can be seen here. Also the bizarre bushy crest of the male extends forward
to the base of the bill.
These large cavity-nesting trogons are endemic to Middle America from
Southern Mexico to Western Panama were they prefer damp mountain forests.
Two subspecies are recognized. This is the southern race, P. m.
costaricensis characterized by slightly smaller size and shorter, narrower
uppertail covert plumes compared to the more northerly nominate race.
This species has declined in many areas due to deforestation and poaching
for plumes and the pet trade. It is considered "near threatened" by CITES.
Savegre is home to the Quetzal Education Research Center of Southern
Nazarene University.
http://www.snu.edu/qerc
Panasonic DMC-LZ5 / Nikon FieldScope 3 / 30X WA hand-held (no adapter)