The northern black-throated trogon, also known as the graceful black-throated trogon, is a bird in the family Trogonidae, the trogons and quetzals. It is found from southeastern Honduras to northwestern Colombia.
Region
Central America and Chocó region
Typical Environment
Occurs from southeastern Honduras through Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama into the humid Chocó of northwestern Colombia. Inhabits mature evergreen lowland rainforest, tall secondary forest, gallery forest, and forest edges. Often keeps to the shaded understory and midstory, especially along streams and in ravines. Tolerates some disturbance and may use shaded plantations, but avoids open habitats.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The northern black-throated trogon is a quiet, forest-dwelling trogon of humid lowland and foothill rainforests from southeastern Honduras to northwestern Colombia. Males show a striking black throat contrasting with metallic green upperparts and a bright yellow belly, while females are browner and more subdued. It often sits motionless for long periods, then sallies to snatch insects or plucks small fruits. Nests are typically excavated in rotten wood or arboreal termitaria.
Temperament
quiet and sedentary
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief glides between perches
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs, sometimes accompanying mixed-species flocks in the understory. Breeding pairs excavate a cavity in rotten wood or an active/abandoned termitarium. Clutch is small, and both sexes participate in incubation and feeding.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a soft, measured series of hoots or coos, often descending in pitch and delivered from a shaded perch. Calls include low, hollow notes and soft clucks. Vocalizations can be easily overlooked in noisy rainforest conditions.