Black-tailed Trogon

The Black-tailed Trogon, a member of the Trogonidae family, is a bird of resplendent beauty, adorned with a palette of vivid colors. Males are particularly striking, with a yellow bill and a blackish face and throat encircled by an orange-red eye ring. Their plumage is a lustrous green on the crown, nape, upperparts, and breast, with a stark white band separating the breast from the red belly and vent. The tail is a deep blue on top and a slaty gray beneath, while the folded wing exhibits fine vermiculation, appearing gray from afar. Females, though less colorful, have their own subtle charm with a slaty maxilla and gray replacing the male's green, extending into the upper belly. White arcs frame their eye rather than the male's vibrant ring.

Identification Tips

To identify the Black-tailed Trogon, look for the male's distinctive green plumage and red belly, separated by a white band. The female is grayer with less pronounced eye arcs. The species measures 28 to 30 cm in length and weighs between 52 to 122 grams. Subspecies vary slightly in wing vermiculation and tail color, with some exhibiting more turquoise hues and others darker wings.

Habitat

This trogon inhabits a variety of landscapes, from humid lowland and foothill forests to rainforests and several Amazonian forest types, including transitional, swamp, gallery, terra firme, and várzea forests. Its habitat extends from sea level to 2,200 meters in elevation, depending on the region.

Distribution

The Black-tailed Trogon is found from Panama and northern South America, with subspecies distributed across different regions. T. m. macroura resides from Panama to northwestern Venezuela, T. m. melanurus from eastern Colombia to northeastern Brazil, and T. m. eumorphus from southern Colombia to northern Bolivia and Amazonian Brazil.

Behaviour

This species is mostly resident, though some seasonal movement is observed in Bolivia. It is known to forage both in the canopy and lower strata, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks.

Song & calls

The song of the Black-tailed Trogon is a series of up to 46 'kwo-kwo-kwo…' notes, complemented by a bubbly purring trill.

Breeding

Breeding seasons vary across its range, with nesting in cavities within arboreal termitaria and possibly decayed trees. Clutch sizes typically consist of two or three eggs.

Diet and Feeding

The diet is diverse, including a wide array of insects, fruits, and occasionally small amphibians and reptiles.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the Black-tailed Trogon as Least Concern, with a very large range and a population believed to be stable. It is generally common throughout its range.