The black-headed trogon is a species of bird in the family Trogonidae. It is found in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua.
Region
Mesoamerica (southern Mexico to Central America)
Typical Environment
Found from southern Mexico (especially the Yucatán lowlands) through Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and into northwestern Costa Rica. It inhabits lowland dry and semi-deciduous forests, gallery forests, and second-growth woodland. Often seen along forest edges, riparian corridors, and in shaded plantations such as cacao. Prefers areas with scattered large trees for perching and nesting, including sites with arboreal termite nests.
Altitude Range
0–1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The black-headed trogon is a striking lowland forest bird of Mesoamerica, easily recognized by its black head and bright yellow underparts. It often sits motionless in the midstory, then darts out to snatch insects or to pluck fruit. Like many trogons, it frequently nests in arboreal termite nests or rotting stubs, which both sexes help excavate. Its mellow, repetitive whistles carry far through dry and semi-deciduous forests.
Male black-headed trogon showing undertail pattern
Temperament
quiet and sedentary, often shy
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Usually found singly, in pairs, or small family groups. Pairs maintain territories during the breeding season and nest in cavities, commonly in arboreal termitaria or decayed stubs. Both sexes participate in excavation, incubation, and chick-rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives a series of mellow, hollow whistles that may accelerate or descend, often rendered as repetitive cow or coo notes. Also produces softer chattering calls during close contact.
Plumage
Male with glossy black head and upper breast, iridescent green upperparts, finely vermiculated dark-and-light wings, and bright yellow belly; undertail largely white with dark barring. Female is duller, with greyer head and browner upperparts but the same yellow underparts and barred undertail. Both sexes show a squared, contrastingly patterned tail typical of trogons.
Diet
Takes a mixed diet of fruits and arthropods, with seasonal emphasis on ripe berries and figs. Sallies from a shaded perch to snatch flying insects and also gleans caterpillars and beetles from foliage. Occasionally consumes small vertebrates such as lizards. Swallows fruit whole and later regurgitates seeds, aiding forest regeneration.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in the midstory and canopy along forest edges, gaps, and riparian zones. Often forages at fruiting trees and in semi-open woodland and plantations with scattered large trees.
