Whitehead's trogon is a species of bird in the family Trogonidae. It is endemic to the island of Borneo, where it is an uncommon resident in primary mountain forest. One of Borneo's largest trogons at 29 to 33 cm long, it is sexually dimorphic. The male is crimson on the head, nape, and underparts, with a black throat and grey chest; the rest of his upperparts are cinnamon-coloured. The female is similarly patterned, but cinnamon-brown where the male is scarlet. The species was first described for science by Richard Bowdler Sharpe in 1888, who named it for British explorer and collector John Whitehead. There are no subspecies.
Region
Borneo
Typical Environment
Occurs in primary and mature secondary montane rainforest, especially mossy and oak–laurel forests with dense understory. Typically uses midstory to lower canopy strata along ridges, gullies, and shaded ravines. Prefers quiet interior forest away from heavy disturbance and roads. Often encountered singly or in pairs within territories that include perches for sallying and fruiting trees. It is uncommon and patchily distributed where suitable habitat persists.
Altitude Range
800–2200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Whitehead's trogon is a striking Bornean endemic of cool, primary montane forest, first described by R. B. Sharpe in 1888 and named for explorer John Whitehead. Males are vividly crimson with a black throat, while females are warm cinnamon-brown. The species is unobtrusive and often located by its soft, mournful whistles rather than by sight. It is considered uncommon and is sensitive to forest degradation.
Male
Temperament
shy and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs; may accompany mixed-species flocks at times. Pairs maintain territories that include favored perches and feeding sites. Nests are typically excavated in soft, rotten stumps or arboreal termitaria, with both sexes involved in site selection and incubation.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a soft, mournful series of low, whistled notes, often spaced and slightly descending. Calls include quiet coos and far-carrying hoots given from concealed perches. Vocalizations are often the best clue to its presence in dense forest.
