From Opus
Alternative Names: Coppery-tailed Trogon (esp. northernmost race)
- Trogon elegans
[edit] Identification
Length 28-30cm (11-12") A brightly coloured bird unmistakable in its range.
In the male, a blue face and head grades on the back to irridescent green, which extends to the copper-coloured tail. On the front, a green chin and upper breast separates the bright red lower breast and belly by narrow pure white band. Tail is long, narrow, and square-tipped, with subtle bands of white and grey, black tip.
Female is similar, except with brown head and back, and a small white spot below and behind the eye.
Superficially resembles a parrot, but with small bill and feet. Erect to "hunchback" posture.
[edit] Distribution
United States: found from south-eastern Arizona to Costa Rica.
[edit] Taxonomy
[edit] Subspecies
Five subspecies are recognized:[1]
- very local in extreme south-eastern Arizona, some sightings in extreme south-western New Mexico, both winter only.
- Tres Marias Island, western Mexico
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[edit] Habitat
Mountain forests, canyons, riparian areas with Sycamore trees, chiefly at altitudes from 1200 to 1800m.
[edit] Behaviour
Tends to perch rather motionless for long periods on perches from 4-15m. above the ground. Drops to the ground to capture prey, but returns to perch to consume them. Solitary.
Diet includes insects, especially grasshoppers, and berries.
[edit] References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2012. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2012. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
[edit] External Links