The Amazonian black-throated trogon is a bird in the family Trogonidae, the trogons and quetzals. Although it has also been called "yellow-bellied trogon" it is not the only trogon with a yellow belly. It is found in every mainland South American country except Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Region
Amazon Basin and Guiana Shield
Typical Environment
Occurs widely in lowland humid evergreen forests across northern and western South America, including Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. It favors mature terra firme forest but also uses floodplain forests (várzea, igapó), gallery forests, and tall secondary growth. Most often found in the shaded midstory and lower canopy, especially near forest edges and streams. The species is absent from the southern cone countries such as Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Altitude Range
0–1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A quiet, understory trogon that often sits motionless for long periods, it can be surprisingly hard to spot despite its bright yellow belly. Males have a striking black throat and breast contrasting with a green head and back, while females are browner and more subdued. It typically nests in cavities it excavates in rotten wood or arboreal termite nests. Pairs maintain small territories and communicate with a soft series of hoots.
Temperament
quiet and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, perching quietly in the midstory for long intervals. Monogamous pairs maintain small territories and nest in cavities in rotten wood or arboreal termite nests that they excavate themselves. They may accompany mixed-species flocks in the understory and occasionally attend army-ant swarms to take flushed prey.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a soft series of hollow hoots that may accelerate slightly, often rendered as a rhythmic ‘huu…huu…huu…’. Calls include low, muffled notes and soft clucks. Vocalizations carry poorly, matching the species’ inconspicuous habits.
Plumage
Male with glossy green head and upperparts, black throat and breast, and bright yellow underparts; female largely brown above with grayish throat and duller yellow belly. Both sexes show white-and-black barred undertail pattern when viewed from below. Plumage is smooth and sleek with a subtly iridescent sheen on males.
Diet
Takes a mix of arthropods such as beetles, katydids, caterpillars, and spiders, as well as small fruits and berries. Often sallies from a perch to snatch insects in flight or gleans from foliage and hanging dead leaves. Fruit is swallowed whole and may be important seasonally. Occasionally captures small vertebrates like tiny lizards.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in the shaded midstory and lower canopy of mature rainforest, along edges, and above shaded streams. Frequently forages at quiet forest edges or light gaps where insect activity is higher.
