Trogons

Most species of trogons are tropical in their distribution. One species, however, breeds as far north as the United States. This is the coppery-tailed or elegant trogon (Trogon elegans), which breeds in mountain forests of southern Arizona, and south into Central America. One of the best known of the Central American trogons is the resplendent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocino), which ranges from Mexico to Nicaragua. This species is brilliantly colored, with the male having greenish hues on the back, breast, tail, and crested head, a vivid red belly, black around the eyes and wings, and yellow bill and feet. The tail of the resplendent quetzal is extended by 24-inch-long (60 cm) plumes, several times longer than the body. This impressive tail is the origin of an alternative common name, the train-bearer.

The resplendent quetzal was sacred to the Maya and Aztecs, and represented the god Quetzalcoatl. This bird is still a culturally important symbol within its range. Stylized renditions of quetzals are prominent in much of the folk art in Central America, particularly in Guatemala, where it is the national bird. Unfortunately, the quetzal has become extremely rare over much of its range, because of deforestation and hunting.

The red-headed trogon (Harpactes erythrocephalus) is a relatively widespread Asian species, occurring from Nepal and south China through Indochina to Sumatra in Indonesia. The male has a bright red head and breast, a cinnamon back and tail, and black wings, while the female lacks the red head. The Narina trogon (Apaloderma narina) occurs over much of sub-Saharan Africa. The blue-crowned trogon (Trogon curucui) is a widespread species of South American tropical forests, breeding from Columbia to northern Argentina.

The Cuban trogon (Priotelus temnurus) only occurs on that island, while the Hispaniolan trogon (Temnotrogon roseigaster) only occurs on Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic). These are both monotypic genera, each containing one species, both of which are rare and endangered, mostly because of habitat loss. Other threatened species include the eared quetzal (Euptilotis neoxenus) of Mexico and the nearby United States, and the Ward's trogon (Harpactes wardi) of Southeast Asia.