The Narina trogon is a largely green and red, medium-sized, bird of the family Trogonidae. It is native to forests and woodlands of the Afrotropics. Though it is the most widespread and catholic in habitat choice of the three Apaloderma species, their numbers are locally depleted due to deforestation. Some populations are sedentary while others undertake regular movements.
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs from coastal and montane forests of South Africa north through the eastern and southern African woodlands to Ethiopia, and west through the Congo Basin to parts of West Africa. It favors evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, gallery forests along rivers, and moist woodland with dense understory. Also uses forest edges, well-wooded ravines, and mature riparian thickets. Locally enters gardens and plantations adjacent to native forest when tall canopy trees are present.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 3000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Narina trogon is the most widespread African trogon, often detected by its mellow, hooting calls before it is seen. It spends long periods sitting motionless in shaded mid-canopy perches, then sallies out to snatch prey. Its name commemorates a Khoikhoi woman, Narina, featured in early South African ornithological histories. Despite broad range, it declines locally where forests are cleared.
Female in South Africa
A. narina subsp. rufiventre in southern Uganda
Temperament
shy and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief glides
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, especially during breeding. Nests in natural cavities or rotten stumps, often excavated or enlarged by the pair. Both sexes share incubation and chick-rearing. Territorial calling is most frequent at dawn and during the early breeding season.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
A mellow, resonant series of hooting notes, often ventriloquial and carrying far through forest. Calls are delivered from concealed perches and may accelerate or descend slightly in pitch.
