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The Resplendent Quetzal of Panama
The Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) is a spectacular bird of the trogon family. A short video, courtesy o the IBC can be
viewed here
. It is found from southern Mexico to western Panama (unlike the other quetzals, which are found in South America and eastern Panama). There are two subspecies, P. m. mocinno and P. m. costaricensis, the Costa Rican Resplendent Quetzal. This quetzal plays an important role in Mesoamerican myth.
This species is 36 cm (14 in) long, plus up to 64 cm (25 in) of tail streamer for the male, and weighs 210 g (7 oz). Resplendent Quetzals have a green body (showing iridescence from green-gold to blue-violet) and red breast. Their green upper tail coverts hide their tails and in breeding males are particularly splendid, being longer than the rest of the body. The wing coverts are also unusually long and give a fringed appearance. The male has a helmet-like crest.
The "song" is a treble syllable described as kyow or like "a whimpering pup", often in pairs, which may be repeated monotonously. Resplendent Quetzals have other unmusical calls as well. Resplendent Quetzals have a mixed diet including insects (notably wasps, ants, and larvae), frogs, and fruit. Particularly important are wild avocados and other fruit of the laurel family, which the birds swallow whole before regurgitating the pit. Their habitat is mountain forests. Resplendent Quetzals usually live alone when not breeding. When breeding, females lay two pale blue eggs in a nest placed in a hole which they carve in a rotten tree. A tree in such an advanced stage of decomposition is susceptible to weather damage, and the availability of suitable trees may limit the Resplendent Quetzal population. Both parents take turns at incubating, their long tail feathers folded forwards over the back and out of the hole. The incubation period lasts about 18 days, during which the male generally incubates the eggs during the day while the female incubates them at night. When the eggs hatch, both parents take care of the young, feeding them insects, lizards, and small frogs. However, the female often neglects and even abandons the young near the end of the rearing period, leaving it up to the male to continue caring for the offspring until they are ready to survive on their own. Resplendent Quetzals are weak fliers. Common predators include the Ornate Hawk Eagle, owls, squirrels, and the Kinkajou (Pribor 1999). The Resplendent Quetzal was considered divine, associated with the "snake god," Quetzalcoatl by Pre-Columbian Central American civilizations. Their iridescent green tail feathers, symbols for spring plant growth, were venerated by the ancient Mayas and Aztecs, who viewed the quetzal as the "god of the air" and as a symbol of goodness and light. Mesoamerican rulers and some nobility of other ranks wore headdresses made from quetzal feathers, symbolically connecting them to Quetzalcoatl. Quetzalcoatl was the creator god and god of wind, often depicted with grey hair. In several Mesoamerican languages, the term for quetzal can also mean precious, sacred or erected. Until recently, it was thought that the Resplendent Quetzal could not be bred or held for any long time in captivity, and indeed it was noted for usually killing itself soon after being captured or caged. For this reason it is a traditional symbol of liberty. However, a zoo in Mexico has kept this species since 1992, and in 2004 breeding in captivity was announced (Orellana, 2004). The Resplendent Quetzal is Guatemala's national bird, and an image of it is on the flag and the national seal of that country. It is also the name of the local currency (abbreviation GTQ). The bird is of great relevance to Guatemalan culture, being a character in the widely popular legend of the local hero Tec?n Um?n, a prince and warrior of the Quich? Maya during the latter stages of the Spanish conquest of the region. This quetzal was his nahual (spirit guide). The Quich repelled several attacks from the Spanish army, even though outmatched in weaponry (guns, armor and cavalry against spears and arrows). Legend has it that on the day the conquistador Pedro de Alvarado fought against Tecn Umn, there was a quetzal flying overhead. On the first strike Tecn Umn, on foot, managed to disable Pedro de Alvarado's horse. Alvarado was then given another horse and on the second strike ran through Tecn Umn's chest with a spear. The quetzal flew down and landed on Tecn Umn, dipping its chest in the warrior prince's blood. It is there that the bird acquired its distinctive red chest feathers. To what extent these events actually took place is debatable, but it is true that the Maya fought fiercely for their land and freedom during the conquest. One Guatemalan legend claims that the quetzal used to sing beautifully before the Spanish conquest, but has been silent ever since but will sing once again when the land is truly free. Stuffed specimens are displayed in the homes of the Guatemalan wealthy and museums, contributing to the birds' rarity.
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