Hobbies And Interests

Important Facts on Quetzals

The quetzal, formally known as Pharomachrus mocinno, lives in mountainous portions of Panama, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and southern Mexico. The bird is renowned for its bright plumage and, among males of the species, for its long tail. The birds were sacred to the Mayans and Aztecs, and today serve as the national symbol of Guatemala.
  1. Plumage and Coloration

    • Quetzals have primarily blue-green feathers on the head, wings and back, with a bright red breast and white underparts. They have yellow bills, grey feet and legs, and black eyes. Males have brighter colored plumage than females. During mating season, the males grow two incredibly long tail feathers -- up to three feet long. Males also possess a crest, composed of greenish-gold feathers.

    Diet

    • Quetzals are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plant and animal life. When hunting, they catch insects, worms, larvae, small lizards and other creatures that share their rain-forest home. They also enjoy eating various fruits native to the region, such as avocados.

    Mating

    • Male quetzals only grow their long tail feathers around mating season, and use them in display to attract females. Females base mate selection on aerial displays, singing and other courtship displays by the males. Paired quetzals then stay together after the female has laid her eggs, and take turns incubating the one to three eggs that she lays in holes that the birds dig into rotting trees. The eggs take around 17 days to hatch, and once the chicks are born the adult quetzals bring back worms, larvae and other insects for them to eat. By three weeks of age, the chicks can fly and leave the nest. Females mature faster than males, who take up to three years to begin growing their dramatic tail plumage.

    Status in the Wild

    • Quetzals are listed as a threatened species, and are endangered in the wild. They are threatened by hunting, for food, feathers and captivity, and by habitat destruction. Deforestation and loss of territory pose the largest threats to the quetzal's existence in the wild.


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