The Chocó trogon, also known as the white-eyed trogon or blue-tailed trogon, is a species of bird in the family Trogonidae, the quetzals and trogons. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador.
Region
Chocó biogeographic region (western Colombia to northwestern Ecuador)
Typical Environment
Occupies humid lowland and foothill rainforests, especially along rivers, forest edges, and tall secondary growth. It favors the midstory and subcanopy where it has good perches for sallying to capture prey. The species tolerates lightly disturbed forest but declines with extensive clearing. It is most frequently encountered in intact or well-regenerated rainforest tracts.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Chocó trogon is a striking forest bird restricted to the humid Chocó biogeographic region of western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador. It is often called the white-eyed or blue-tailed trogon, referencing its pale iris and bluish tail. Like other trogons, it perches quietly and sallies out to snatch insects and small fruits, making it easy to overlook despite vivid colors. Habitat loss in the Chocó lowlands is a concern, but the species persists in suitable primary and tall secondary forests.
Temperament
quiet and sedentary
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief glides between perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, sometimes in small family groups. Pairs maintain loose territories in suitable forest. Nests are typically excavated in rotten stumps or arboreal termite nests, with both sexes participating in excavation and incubation.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives a series of soft, hollow hoots delivered at measured intervals, often from a concealed perch. Calls include low cooing notes and short, mournful whistles that carry through dense forest.
Plumage
Male with metallic green head and upper breast, narrow white breast band, and bright yellow belly; upper tail with bluish tones and finely barred black-and-white undertail. Female is duskier with gray-brown head and breast, duller greenish back, and yellowish underparts. Both sexes show a pale iris that appears white at a distance.
Diet
Takes a mixed diet of large insects such as orthopterans, beetles, and caterpillars, supplemented with small fruits and berries (including figs). It hunts by sit-and-wait, sallying from a perch to pluck prey from foliage or in mid-air. Occasional small invertebrates are gleaned from branches and epiphytes.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mainly in the midstory and subcanopy of humid rainforest, along edges, stream corridors, and in tall secondary growth. Often forages from shaded perches with good sightlines into surrounding foliage.
