Kingdom : Animalia Class : Aves Family : Trogonidae Scientific Name : Pharomachrus, Euptolotis Colour : Green, Blue, Red, White, Bronze, Grey, Brown Skin Type : Feathers Size(H) : 35cm - 40.5cm (14in - 16in) Weight : 200g - 225g (7oz - 8oz) Life Span : 20 - 25 years Most Distinctive Feature : Soft and deep but loud calls Fun Fact : The tail feathers of the Male can be 1m long
- Quetzals are medium-sized birds found in Central American rainforests.
- There are six subspecies of Quetzals which are classified based on their geographical location.
- All the subspecies are a part of the Trogon family of birds.
- They one of the most strikingly beautiful birds with a metallic plumage of incredible colors.
- The males have metallic blue or green body with deep red belly and chest and have two long tail feathers.
- They also have a tuft of golden green feathers that form a distinctive crest on their heads.
- The female quetzals are also similarly colored but are not that bright and do not have tail feathers.
- The females also differ in their chest and belly color and their tuft color.
- All quetzals have two toes facing forward and two toes facing backwards to help them balance themselves on tree branches
- They inhabit the cool, moist rainforests at altitudes of 4,000-10,000 feet and the foggy cloud forests.
- They live in tree holes that are high up near the canopies and are either made by them or abandoned by woodpeckers.
- They do not walk much and are quite inactive as they weak feet do not support walking.
- They communicate amongst themselves through a variety of noises which are specific to various purposes.
- The female quetzals lay 1-3 eggs which are incubated by both the parents and hatch after 3 weeks.
- The chicks are cared for by both the parents till they fledge and are known to be close to their fathers for the first few years.
- They are omnivores feeding mainly on fruits and occasionally on insects, lizards and frogs.
- Their natural predators are squirrels, owls and hawks.