Elegant Trogon

The Elegant Trogon, formerly known as the coppery-tailed trogon, is a medium-sized bird with a length of 28–30 centimeters and a weight of 60–78 grams. Exhibiting sexual dimorphism, males are resplendent with a metallic deep green back and a red-orange undercarriage, while females and immature males are more subdued in coloration.

Identification Tips

Males boast a striking black face and throat, a white band across the chest, and grey upperwings. Their long, square-tipped tail feathers are typically brown with white undertails marked by black horizontal stripes. Females and immature males, while sharing the same pattern, have a brownish-grey plumage and a distinctive white eye-ring.

Habitat

The Elegant Trogon is partial to dry, arid woodlands, including pine and deciduous forests, second growth, and scrublands, avoiding more humid environments.

Distribution

This species ranges from Guatemala to the upper Gila River in Arizona and New Mexico. It is the northernmost trogon species, with some populations exhibiting partial migratory behavior.

Behaviour

Elegant Trogons are known for their perching habits, often remaining motionless before pouncing on prey or plucking fruit mid-hover. They communicate through calls and tail movements, with tail raising serving multiple functions from signaling dominance to alerting predators.

Song & Calls

The trogon's call is a distinctive croaking "co-ah co-ah co-ah," supplemented by chattering notes. Males are generally more vocal, with females increasing call frequency during incubation.

Breeding

Nesting occurs in shallow cavities, often in old flicker holes, 2–6 meters above ground. Clutches typically consist of two to three eggs, with both parents sharing incubation duties. Post-hatching, biparental care continues with both parents feeding the young primarily insects.

Diet and Feeding

As frugivores and insectivores, Elegant Trogons consume a variety of fruits and insects. Their diet includes grapes, cherries, figs, and various insects, with occasional predation on small vertebrates like lizards.

Conservation status

While listed as endangered in New Mexico due to habitat preferences, the IUCN Red List categorizes the Elegant Trogon as Least Concern, with no immediate threat to its overall population.