Slaty-tailed Trogon

The Slaty-tailed Trogon, a member of the Trogonidae family, is a bird of near passerine status, adorned with soft and often vibrant plumage. Males and females exhibit distinct colorations, with the species measuring between 30 to 35.5 cm in length and weighing approximately 140 to 155 grams.

Identification Tips

Males of the nominate subspecies boast an orange-red bill and a somewhat lackluster black face, chin, and upper throat, encircled by a red to orange eye ring. Their upperparts shimmer with a metallic green, shifting to golden on the back and a bluish hue on the crown and rump. The breast mirrors the metallic green, while the belly and vent are a deep red. The wings, when folded, display fine black and white vermiculation, appearing gray from afar. The central tail feathers are metallic green with black tips, transitioning to black on the outer feathers. Females, in contrast, replace the male's green with varying shades of gray and have a black upper tail with a dusky gray maxilla.

Habitat

This species is predominantly found in the midstory to canopy layers of tropical evergreen forests and mature secondary forests. It also inhabits gallery forests, coffee plantations, and mangroves.

Distribution

The Slaty-tailed Trogon is distributed across the Caribbean slope from southern Mexico through Central America and into Colombia and Ecuador. It thrives at low elevations, occasionally reaching up to 1,200 meters in Costa Rica, 1,400 meters in Panama, and 1,100 meters in Colombia.

Behaviour

The Slaty-tailed Trogon is known to forage for fruits and insects by sallying or hover gleaning from a perch. It is also observed to follow troops of white-faced capuchin monkeys to capitalize on insects disturbed by their movement.

Song & Calls

The song of the Slaty-tailed Trogon is a consistent series of "cow" or "cue" notes, described as a deep, full-throated "wuk, wuk, wuk…". It also emits a quiet clucking "huh-huh-huh-huh" and a chuckling chatter.

Breeding

Breeding seasons vary geographically, generally spanning from February to July. Courtship involves tail raising and fluffing of the uppertail coverts. Nesting occurs in cavities within termite nests or decaying tree trunks, with both sexes participating in the excavation. The typical clutch consists of two or three white or bluish-white eggs, incubated by both parents.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the Slaty-tailed Trogon as Least Concern, with a large range and a population believed to be stable. However, it faces threats from logging and habitat conversion for agriculture.