Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Black-headed Trogon (Trogon melanocephalus), male
Black-headed Trogon, Male

Black-headed Trogon

Trogon melanocephalus

The Black-headed Trogon, Trogon melanocephalus, is a medium-sized bird with a striking appearance. It measures 27 to 28 cm in length and weighs between 74 to 95 grams. Both sexes exhibit a dark head, neck, and chest, with a distinctive sky-blue ring around the eye. A white line demarcates the chest from the vibrant yellow underparts, which lighten towards the vent. The tail is adorned with metallic bronze green to bluish green feathers with black tips, and the wings are slate black with white markings. Males boast a resplendent metallic bluish green to golden green back, while females have a more subdued dark slate coloration.

Identification Tips

To identify the Black-headed Trogon, look for the black head and chest, contrasted by the bright yellow lower belly. The eye is encircled by a blue ring, and the tail features a unique pattern of black and white. Males are particularly noticeable with their metallic upperparts and blue to violet rump.

Habitat

This species thrives in various forest habitats, including tropical wet and moist forests, pinelands, and secondary growth. It is often found at forest edges, in semi-open to open areas like plantations and gardens, and can adapt to suburban environments.

Distribution

The Black-headed Trogon is native to the Caribbean slope from southern Veracruz, Mexico, through Central America to central Nicaragua, and on the Pacific slope from El Salvador to northwestern Costa Rica.

Behaviour

These birds are non-migratory and may gather in mixed-sex groups, with a tendency for more males than females, hinting at a possible lek mating system.

Song & Calls

The species is known for its loud series of accelerating "cluck" or "cuck" notes, which can be heard as duets or group calls. Its alarm call is a low "cuck."

Breeding

Breeding season varies by region, typically from March to July. Nests are carved into active termite nests, with both sexes participating in excavation. Clutches usually consist of three eggs, incubated for 17 to 19 days, with fledging occurring around 16 or 17 days post-hatching.

Diet and Feeding

Adult Black-headed Trogons feed on fruit and arthropods, catching their prey in flight before returning to a perch to eat. Nestlings are primarily fed arthropods, especially larvae.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the Black-headed Trogon as Least Concern. Despite a large range and common status throughout its habitat, the population is believed to be decreasing, although no immediate threats have been identified. This species shows adaptability to habitat changes, tolerating human-altered landscapes.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Black-headed Trogons on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Trogons

Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Dan R
Great app for bird fanatics
Great app for bird fanatics - very user friendly and a perfect place to share sightings.
Birdafan
Ideal Birdwatch Companion
Simply adds to the enjoyment of my birdwatching and helps me record what I’ve seen.
Leonie
We've been waiting for an App like this
Excellent! We've been waiting for an app like this! Thank you! It would be nice if you could assign additional birds to sessions later!
Nedz53
Really useful
Downloaded to give it a try, everything worked perfectly, recorded my first bird watching walk. Very impressed. Have already recommended to friends!
Carrie
Makes you want to spot birds more
I think this app is fun. It makes you want to spot birds more so I guess in a way it encourages you to get out and about instead of sitting in front of the TV.
Chudbond
Love Birda
I love this app. It really encourages you to log your sightings and the community is friendly and helpful.
David C
Very knowledgeable group
Nice friendly birding community. Very knowledgeable group with a willingness to help.
Talli A
My favourite app
As a young birdwatcher who was always keen to be apart of a community but never seemed to find one, my problem was solved downloading this!!! Everyone is so friendly and just as excited to see birds as me 😁
Marlster24
Recommend for any bird watcher
Very wholesome app: I joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😃
Jake W
Great app
I use this app all the time as it’s quick and easy to log individual sightings or whole birding sessions. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and the forum is full of really friendly people. The challenges are a great way to get involved and learn more about birds. Cannot recommend it enough!
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.