From Opus

Photo by: Gary Clark
Location: Patagonia Lake, Arizona, USA

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

SE Arizona to Costa Rica (see Taxonomy)

[edit] Taxonomy

Five subspecies are recognized:^[1]

• T. e. canascens - very local in extreme SE Arizona, some sightings in extreme SW New Mexico, both winter only.
• T. e. goldmani - Tres Marias Is., w Mexico
• T. e. ambibuus - e and c Mexico
• T. e. elegans - SE Guatemala
• T. e. lubricus - Honduras, Nicaragua, nw Costa Rica

[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. Diet includes insects, especially grasshoppers, and berries. Solitary.

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist.

[edit] External Links