Collared Trogon

The Collared Trogon, a member of the Trogonidae family, is a near passerine bird that captivates with its striking sexual dimorphism. Males boast a resplendent metallic green on their crown, nape, back, and rump, while females don a more subdued olive brown in these areas. Both sexes share a black face and throat, adding to their mystique. This species measures approximately 25 to 29 cm in length and tips the scales at a delicate 41 to 64 grams.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Collared Trogon, look for the male's vibrant green plumage and the contrasting white band that elegantly separates the green breast from the bright red belly and vent. The female, while less colorful, is equally distinctive with her brown wing feathers marked by black vermiculation and a less vivid red belly. The tail presents a green upper side with a black tip, and a black and white barred underside, which is gray in females.

Habitat

This bird favors the lushness of humid lowland evergreen forests, thriving in both primary and well-established secondary growth. Its habitat range extends to humid montane, semideciduous, and pine-evergreen forests in Mexico and Central America, with altitudinal preferences varying from up to 2,400 meters in Mexico to lower elevations in the Andes.

Distribution

The Collared Trogon's range is extensive, from Mexico through Central America and into northern South America. It is a bird of many lands, with subspecies scattered across this broad expanse, each adapting to the unique nuances of their local environments.

Behaviour

A creature of solitude or sometimes seen in pairs, the Collared Trogon is most often found perched between the higher understory and the lower canopy. It may congregate in small groups when not breeding, maintaining a dignified distance from other foraging flocks.

Song & Calls

The song of the Collared Trogon is a geographical chorus, varying from the plaintive notes of the northern populations to the mellow whistles of the southern reaches. Its calls include a prolonged "charr" and a distinctive "snorting chur-r-r-r," adding to the auditory tapestry of its habitat.

Breeding

Breeding seasons for the Collared Trogon vary widely across its range. Nesting in cavities within decaying wood or arboreal termite nests, this species often leaves much of itself visible while nesting. A typical clutch consists of two eggs, with both parents sharing incubation duties and chick rearing.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Collared Trogon is a mix of small fruits, such as berries, and a variety of invertebrates, including caterpillars, crickets, cicadas, beetles, and phasmids. It forages alone or on the fringes of mixed-species flocks, maintaining its independence.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the Collared Trogon as Least Concern, with a very large population and an extensive range that ensures its continued presence in our world's forests.