Gartered Trogon

The Gartered Trogon, also known as the Northern Violaceous Trogon, is a member of the Trogonidae family, which includes quetzals and trogons. Exhibiting sexual dimorphism, the males and females of this species boast different plumages, characterized by soft and often vivid feathers. The male's head, neck, and upper breast shimmer with a violet-blue hue, while the face and throat are a stark black, accented by a pale yellow eye ring. A white band demarcates the bright yellow lower breast and belly from the upper body. The back gleams with a metallic green, and the tail is violet-blue with black-tipped feathers on top and finely barred black and white with broad white tips underneath. The wings are predominantly black with white markings. Females, on the other hand, have a more subdued palette with gray upperparts and a less vibrant yellow belly, and their tail patterns differ from the males'.

Identification Tips

To identify the Gartered Trogon, look for the male's violet-blue head and upper breast, black face with a yellow eye ring, and the distinctive white band separating the upper and lower body. The female is grayer with a duller yellow belly. Both sexes have a tail with a unique pattern of black and white bars on the underside.

Habitat

This species is found in semi-open landscapes such as forest edges, clearings, gallery forests, secondary forests, and shaded coffee and cacao plantations. It can also inhabit denser evergreen forests and rainforests, particularly in Mexico.

Distribution

The Gartered Trogon is a year-round resident in Mexico, with its range extending through Central America and into Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Its movements outside of Mexico are not well documented.

Behaviour

The Gartered Trogon typically feeds by hovering to pluck fruit and invertebrates from vegetation. It consumes a significant amount of fruit compared to other trogons, supplemented by various insects and other invertebrates. This bird may occasionally join mixed-species foraging flocks.

Song & Calls

The song of the Gartered Trogon is a series of rapid, hollow, downslurred notes, reminiscent of "kyu-kyu-kyu-kyu-kyu-kyu." It also emits a rolling chattering call.

Breeding

Breeding season varies by region, occurring from March to June in Mexico, May to July in El Salvador, and February to June in Costa Rica. The Gartered Trogon nests in arboreal nests of wasps, ants, or termites, or in cavities within rotten trees, laying two to three eggs per clutch.

Similar Species

The Gartered Trogon can be confused with other trogons, particularly the Amazonian Trogon and the Guianan Trogon, but can be distinguished by its unique coloration and distribution.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Gartered Trogon is more fruit-heavy than that of most other trogons, but it also includes a variety of insects and other invertebrates.

Conservation Status

The IUCN has not assessed the Gartered Trogon separately from the broader category of the violaceous trogon. However, it is generally considered fairly common to common throughout most of its range, though it is very rare in Venezuela.