Quetzal birds exist in Central America. The resplendent quetzal serves as Guatemala’s national emblem. Guatemala’s currency is named the quetzal. Quetzals live in cloud forests. They eat fruit, insects and lizards. They were sacred to ancient Mayas and Aztecs. Today quetzals are threatened due to hunting and habitat loss. About 50,000 wild quetzals remain. Their long tail feathers were used as currency. Quetzals have vibrant, beautiful plumage. They can be found from Mexico to Panama. Quetzal wings are fringed and long. Their habitat depends on mature cloud forest trees. Quetzals are not parrots or hummingbirds. They are striking members of the trogon family. The resplendent quetzal is an aptly named bird. Guatemala venerates them even today. They remain important symbols of liberty.
Why is the quetzal so important?
What is a quetzal in Mexico?
quetzal can be found from northwest to west-central Mexico. It is a Mesoamerican indigenous species. Some reports show that it occasionally travels and nests in southeastern Arizona and New Mexico in the United States. The mating season for eared quetzals is June to October. Quetzals are fairly large, slightly bigger than other trogon species. The resplendent quetzal is the national bird of Guatemala because of its vibrant colour.
For birdwatching enthusiasts, exploring Mexico’s quetzal hotspots is a journey into biodiversity. From the misty highlands to the dense forests, these regions offer glimpses of quetzals in their natural habitats. El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve is a haven for biodiversity. Located in the Chiapas Highlands, it is a prominent quetzal hotspot in Mexico.
The Resplendent Quetzal is an endangered species with only a few specimens left in Mexico and Central America. However, Costa Rica has a large population thanks to forest protection efforts.
The quetzal was the sacred bird of the ancient Mayas and Aztecs. Today it is the national emblem of Guatemala whose monetary unit is the quetzal. The Turquoise-browed Motmot is the national bird of two Central American countries.
Quetzals are rather squat, robust looking birds with brilliant blue, green and red plumage. Their vibrant red chest and metallic green body feathers make them a popular tourist attraction. However, they are sometimes trapped as pets or for captive attractions, drastically reducing their numbers.
Quetzals live in tropical forests eating fruit, insects and small creatures. Known predators are hawks, owls, emerald toucanets and mammals that threaten eggs and nestlings. Habitat loss and poaching have brought the emblematic resplendent quetzal of southern Mexico and Central America to the verge of extinction.
How rare is a quetzal bird?
The resplendent quetzal is an endangered species. Only 50,000 remain in the wild. They live in the mountainous, tropical forests of Central America where they eat fruit, insects, lizards, and small creatures.
The current population trend of the resplendent quetzal is decreasing. It is classified as being near threatened on the IUCN Red List, with an estimated population of 20,000–49,000 individuals.
The resplendent quetzal was the sacred bird of the ancient Mayas and Aztecs. Many consider it among the world’s most beautiful birds.
During mating season, male quetzals grow twin tail feathers that form an amazing train up to one meter long. Females do not have long trains, but share the brilliant blue, green, and red coloring of their mates.
The design of the quetzal’s feet makes them very weak for walking, so they are rarely seen on the forest floor. They are territorial birds that will make whistle-like cries at both dawn and twilight.