Mountain Trogon

The Mountain Trogon, or Trogon mexicanus, is a bird of striking sexual dimorphism. The male boasts a metallic green crown, nape, upperparts, and chest, with a bright red belly and vent, divided by a white band. The female, in contrast, is adorned with warm brown hues on her head, upperparts, and chest, transitioning to a paler brown and red on the lower chest and vent, also separated by a white band.

Identification Tips

Males are identifiable by their green and red plumage with a white band, while females are predominantly warm brown with a similar white band. Both sexes have a distinctive tail pattern, with males showing a bluish-green upper tail with black tips, and females a rufous-brown upper tail, also with black tips.

Habitat

The Mountain Trogon is found in subtropical and tropical moist montane forests, favoring pine-evergreen and pine-oak woodlands at elevations between 3,000 and 10,000 feet.

Distribution

This species is resident in the highlands of Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras, with vagrant occurrences reported in El Salvador.

Behaviour

Mountain Trogons may join mixed-species flocks, actively moving through the upper and middle forest strata. They exhibit adaptability to human-altered landscapes, utilizing shaded coffee plantations.

Song & Calls

The Mountain Trogon's vocal repertoire includes a sharp "cut" or "tuck" when alarmed, a quick "cut-a-cut-cut" in flight, and a slower "cowh" or "tucka-tucka-tucka" when perched. Young birds emit a quiet hissing when begging for food.

Breeding

As cavity nesters, Mountain Trogons may excavate their own nesting sites or use existing cavities, often those created by large woodpeckers. They lay two white eggs, with both parents sharing incubation duties.

Similar Species

The Mountain Trogon can be confused with the Elegant Trogon, Collared Trogon, and other related species, but can be distinguished by differences in tail color and patterning.

Diet and Feeding

Their diet consists of insects and small fruits, which they catch or pluck mid-flight.

Conservation status

The Mountain Trogon is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population estimated between 50,000 and 499,999 individuals.

References

• BirdLife International (2018). "Trogon mexicanus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018.
• Howell, Steve N. G.; Webb, Sophie (1995). A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America. Oxford University Press.
• Peterson, Roger Tory; Chalif, Edward L. (1973). A Field Guide to Mexican Birds: Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador. Houghton Mifflin.