Mountain Trogon

Birding in highlands is a surprising experience, if you have been in lowlands you know how many different colored species you can observe in a couple of hours, but in the mountains it is just a challenge to look for birds, mostly green or blue, through the green trees.


My friends Bill Thompson III (left) and Simon Thompson birding in Cerro Alux



Can you see the bird?


Guatemala’s national bird is Resplendent Quetzal but no so many people have watched it, in most cases because they don’t know where and when to look for, but a lot of people has heard and seen a Mountain Trogon. In many communities the common name for this trogon is “Quetzalillo” which means little quetzal.

I really like the elegant form of these birds, the magic combination of colors, the unmistakable sound of the call, the adrenaline running in my blood when finally I can spot it and enjoy the sight.

Mountain Trogon
Posted by Maynor Ovando

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