The Surucua trogon is a species of bird in the family Trogonidae, the quetzals and trogons. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Region
Atlantic Forest of southeastern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid evergreen and semideciduous forests of the Atlantic Forest biome in Brazil, eastern Paraguay, northeastern Argentina, and locally into Uruguay. It uses primary forest, mature secondary growth, gallery forests, and well-wooded edges. Birds favor the midstory and subcanopy, especially along streams and on forested slopes. They can persist in forest fragments if there is sufficient midstory structure and fruiting trees.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Surucua trogon is a colorful forest bird of the Atlantic Forest, where it often sits motionless for long periods before sallying out to catch prey. It nests in cavities it excavates in soft, decayed wood or in arboreal termite nests. Pairs are frequently seen together, communicating with soft, mournful whistles. Despite living in fragmented habitats, it tolerates secondary growth and forest edges better than some forest specialists.
Temperament
quiet, unobtrusive, often sedentary
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief glides
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs; pairs often maintain small territories within suitable forest. Both sexes excavate a nesting cavity in soft, decayed wood or an arboreal termite nest. The clutch is small and both parents attend the young. Outside breeding, it may join mixed-species flocks along forest edges.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives a series of low, mournful, whistled notes, often accelerating slightly. Calls include soft coos and single whistles that carry through the forest midstory.
Plumage
Male with glossy green head and upperparts, narrow white breast band, and vivid crimson underparts; tail from below largely white with dark barring near the tip. Female is brownish-olive above with grayish underparts washed rufous on the belly; undertail shows fine dark-and-white barring. Both sexes have soft, loose plumage typical of trogons.
Diet
Eats a mix of insects and other arthropods, supplemented with small fruits and berries. It hunts by sallying from a perch to snatch prey from foliage or to hawk items in short flights. Fruits such as figs are taken while perched and swallowed whole. Seasonal fruit availability can influence foraging intensity and perch choice.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the midstory and subcanopy of humid forest, often along stream corridors and forested slopes. Also uses semi-open edges and second-growth where fruiting trees are present. Typically forages from shaded perches, making short sorties into nearby vegetation.
