Image via Macaulay Library
Resplendent Quetzal
- Scientific name
- Pharomachrus mocinno
- Family
- Trogonidae
- Conservation status
- Near threatened
- Habitat
- Forest mixed
- Wing shape
- Broad
- Tail shape
- Long
Where it came from
The resplendent quetzal, Pharomachrus mocinno, occupies a central place in the cultural history of Mesoamerica, particularly among the Maya and Aztec civilizations. It was historically revered for its vibrant green plumage, which was utilized in the creation of elaborate ceremonial headdresses worn by royalty and high-ranking priests. The bird was considered a symbol of abundance and divine connection, with its long, trailing tail feathers representing the growth of crops and the life-giving nature of the environment.
Biologically, the species is defined by its distinctive morphology, including broad wings adapted for forest navigation and the exceptionally long tail coverts that grow during the breeding season in males. Ornithologists and naturalists have long studied the quetzal as a flagship species for the cloud forests of Central America. While its design—a result of evolutionary pressures favoring sexual selection and camouflaged movement through mist-covered canopies—is a product of nature rather than human craft, it has been widely received by the scientific community as a masterpiece of avian adaptation.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
Real birds collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Resplendent Quetzal
Resplendent Quetzal is a bird in the Birdwatching catalog on collecto.rs. Catalog data is sourced from eBird. No public birds collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track Resplendent Quetzal on collecto.rs?
Resplendent Quetzal doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Resplendent Quetzal?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your bird, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other birdwatching collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Resplendent Quetzal catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Resplendent Quetzal is sourced from eBird. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs birds tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your birds is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every bird you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
