The mountain trogon, also known as the Mexican trogon, is a species of bird in the family Trogonidae. First described by William Swainson in 1827, it is resident in Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico and has occurred in El Salvador as a vagrant. Like all trogons, the mountain trogon is sexually dimorphic. The male is metallic green on the crown, nape, upperparts and chest, the latter separated from its bright red belly and vent by a narrow band of white. The female is warm brown on the head, upperparts and chest, separated from its paler brown lower chest and red belly and vent by a narrow white band.
Region
Mesoamerican Highlands
Typical Environment
Found from the highlands of Mexico south into Guatemala and Honduras, with occasional vagrants to El Salvador. It favors pine-oak, oak, and cloud forests, especially along ravines and well-wooded slopes. Birds use midstory and canopy perches, often near fruiting trees and along forest edges. It is generally sedentary but may make short local movements following food availability.
Altitude Range
1200–3500 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the Mexican trogon, it inhabits cool montane forests where it perches quietly and sallies for insects and fruit. Like other trogons, it nests in soft, decaying wood and both sexes help excavate the cavity. Its mellow, hollow cooing carries through cloud forests at dawn.
The female is less colorful than the male.
Temperament
quiet and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats followed by brief glides
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs and maintains territories during the breeding season. Nests are excavated by the pair in decaying trunks or stumps, and both sexes incubate and feed the young. Clutch size is small, typically two to three eggs.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A mellow series of spaced, hollow cooing or whoop notes that carry far in still forest air. Also gives soft churring and contact calls while foraging.
Plumage
Male with metallic green crown, nape, and upperparts, green chest, a narrow white breast band, and bright red belly; female warm brown above with paler brown chest, narrow white band, and red lower underparts. Both sexes show dark upper tail with black-and-white patterned undertail. Overall smooth, glossy plumage in males and softer brown tones in females.
Diet
Takes a mixed diet of insects and fruit, including beetles, katydids, caterpillars, and small berries from forest trees. Often sallies from a perch to snatch flying or foliage-dwelling prey, and also hover-gleans. Fruit is swallowed whole and later regurgitated as pellets.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the midstory to canopy of mature pine-oak and cloud forests, along edges, and in ravines. Frequently visits fruiting trees and perches quietly while scanning for insects.
