Latin Etymology: Pharomachrus ("mantle") mocinno (for naturalist Dr José Mariano Mociño)
Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) at San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica - November 2025
Featured Subspecies: Pharomachrus mocinno costaricensis
Weight: 180-210g / Length: 36-40cm + 31-100cm tail in males / Wingspan: 62cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Near Threatened
I feel there are few who would argue that the Resplendent Quetzal is one of the most beautiful bird species on earth, with the males having long flowing irridescent tails that give them a mythic quality. Indeed, they were associated with the feathered serpent deity Quetzalcoatl of Mesoamerican myth and their plumes, taken from live birds which were then released due to laws preventing their killing, were used by rulers and nobility of certain Mezoamerican cultures as a symbol of wealth and power as part of elaborate headdresses and clothes.
Related Species:
Order: Trogoniformes
Family: Trogonidae
Genus: Pharomachrus
SUBSPECIES: P. m. mocinno, P. m. costaricensis
- Sighting Locations -
A scarce cloud forest specialist
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at San Gerardo de Dota
Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto
No comments:
Post a Comment