GOLDEN-HEADED QUETZAL
Pharomachrus auriceps
Gould, 1842
PHOTOZOO.ORG
CLASSIFICATION
LEAST CONCERN
Class: Aves
Order: Trogoniformes
Family: Trogonidae
Identification: Adults grow to 36 cm in length. Iridescent green wing covers and back,
black undertail. Male has bright yellow bill, shiny golden-green head, iridescent green
breast and bright red belly. Female is duller with dark breast and head, and black bill.
2 subspecies recognized
Range: The species occurs in South America, in the Andes, from western Venezuela
and Colombia to eastern Peru and central Bolivia.
Habitat : Humid and cloud forests in foothills and mountains, up to 3000 meters.
NOT LISTED
Behavior: Species poorly known from the wild. Feeds mostly on fruits and wild
avocados. Nests in tree hole, , nestlings being fed with small animals.
Status in the wild: The species doesn’t seem to be threatened and is actually fairly
common in much of its range. It occurs in several protected areas.
RARE
In captivity: This species is the commonest quetzal in captivity and currently the only
to be displayed outside America. It used to be commoner than it is now but still kept in
a few American zoos. Known from 3 European zoos and bred there since 2012.