Alternative Names: Coppery-tailed Trogon (esp. northernmost race)
- Trogon elegans
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, white breast and belly, reddish vent and a small white spot below and behind the eye.
Superficially resembles a parrot, but with small bill and feet. Erect to "hunchback" posture.
Distribution
United States: found from south-eastern Arizona to Costa Rica.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
Five subspecies are recognized:[1]
- T. e. canascens:
- very local in extreme south-eastern Arizona, some sightings in extreme south-western New Mexico, both winter only.
- T. e. goldmani:
- Tres Marias Island, western Mexico
- T. e. ambibuus:
- Eastern and central Mexico
- T. e. elegans:
- South-eastern Guatemala
- T. e. lubricus:
- Honduras, Nicaragua, north-western Costa Rica
Habitat
Mountain forests, canyons, riparian areas with Sycamore trees, chiefly at altitudes from 1200 to 1800m.
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
Diet includes insects, especially grasshoppers, and berries.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2015. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2015, with updates to August 2015. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Elegant Trogon. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 26 April 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Elegant_Trogon
