About
The Resplendent Quetzal is often considered the most beautiful bird in the Western Hemisphere. Males sport iridescent emerald-green plumage with a crimson breast, and during breeding season grow spectacular tail coverts that stream up to 65 cm beyond the tail. Sacred to the ancient Maya and Aztec civilizations, the Quetzal was associated with the feathered serpent god Quetzalcoatl. Today, the bird appears on Guatemala's national flag.
Conservation Status
Near Threatened
Physical Characteristics
Wingspan
36–40 cm
Length
36–40 cm (male with streamers: up to 100 cm)
Weight
180–210 g
Ecology
Habitat
Montane cloud forests, 1,200–3,100 m elevation
Diet
Wild avocados, other fruits, insects, lizards, frogs
Distribution
Central America — Southern Mexico to Western Panama