The pavonine quetzal is a species of bird in the family Trogonidae, the trogons. It is also known at the peacock trogon, red-billed train bearer, or viuda pico rojo in Spanish. The pavonine quetzal lives in the Neotropics, more specifically in the northern region of the Amazon basin, spreading from Colombia to Bolivia. The most notable characteristics helpful in identifying this bird are its plumage, red beak, and its distribution - it is the only quetzal occupying the lowland rainforest east of the Andes.
Region
Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs in the northern and western Amazon lowlands from southern Colombia and Venezuela through eastern Ecuador and Peru into western Brazil and northern Bolivia. It inhabits humid terra firme and várzea rainforest, using midstory to canopy levels and visiting forest edges and treefall gaps when fruiting trees are present. The species avoids heavily disturbed areas but may persist in selectively logged forests if key fruiting trees remain. It is generally non-migratory and local in occurrence, tracking fruit availability within territories.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This lowland Amazonian quetzal is the only quetzal east of the Andes, where it favors tall, humid rainforest. Males show striking iridescent green upperparts with a crimson belly and a bright red bill; females are duller but also often show a reddish bill. Like other quetzals, it nests in cavities in rotten trees or arboreal termitaria and is an important disperser of large-seeded fruits. It is generally quiet and unobtrusive, often detected by its soft, hollow whistles.
Pavonine quetzal displaying its red belly
Temperament
shy and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, becoming more conspicuous at fruiting trees. Breeds in excavated or naturally decayed cavities in soft wood or arboreal termitaria. Both sexes are believed to participate in incubation and chick rearing, with nesting timed to peaks in fruit availability.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives a series of soft, hollow, mournful whistles or hoots, spaced at regular intervals. Calls carry through the forest but are low in volume and easily missed in background noise.
Plumage
Male with shimmering emerald to golden-bronze upperparts, velvety dark wings with fine barring, and a vivid crimson belly; elongated uppertail coverts form a short train. Female is duller olive-green to brownish above with a grayer breast and paler, reddish belly. Undertail commonly shows contrasting white with dark barring.
Diet
Primarily consumes large, lipid-rich fruits, especially from Lauraceae and other canopy trees, swallowing them whole and later regurgitating seeds. Also takes insects and other arthropods opportunistically, and occasionally small vertebrates. By dispersing seeds, it plays an important role in forest regeneration.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mostly in the midstory and canopy at fruiting trees, including along forest edges, treefall gaps, and river margins. Will sally from perches to pluck fruits or glean arthropods from foliage.
